- Says Wike Will Soon insult Tinubu
By Abiola Olawale
Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson Dr. Reuben Abati has sharply criticized Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for his recent remarks targeting former Rivers State Governors; Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Odili.
Abati, speaking on Arise News, labeled Wike’s comments as “rude and disrespectful.”
The veteran journalist accused the minister of displaying “hubris” in his ongoing attacks on political figures, particularly Amaechi and Odili.
Abati emphasized Amaechi’s pivotal role in Wike’s political ascent, noting that Amaechi facilitated Wike’s rise to positions such as Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff, and Minister of State for Education.
He said: “Wike is very rude and disrespectful because Amaechi is his boss in politics. When he was local government chairman during Amaechi’s second term, it was Amaechi who helped him to become LGA Chairman and subsequently became Chief of Staff and recommended him to become Minister of State for Education in Abuja.”
He also said the FCT minister is showing signs that he will soon use abusive language against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Abati also advised the president to be wary of Wike because he could insult him in the future just as he had done with Amaechi and others.
He added: “Who will Nyesom Wike not insult? He insulted Senator John Mbata, who was his godfather at some point. He also showed signs that he would insult President Bola Tinubu.
“In that interview, he pointed out that if he had known that President Tinubu was going to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, he would have offered a different kind of advice.
“That is already a signal to President Tinubu to know that this man you are dealing with, his only interest is his interests.
“President Tinubu should beware. Tomorrow he will abuse this same President Tinubu.”
The controversy stemmed from Wike’s statement during a media chat on June 2, 2025, where he dismissed Amaechi’s political relevance, claiming the former Minister of Transportation was “hungry for power” and failed to deliver significant votes for Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
Wike further mocked Amaechi’s remarks about hunger in Nigeria, made during his 60th birthday celebration, where Amaechi criticized the federal government and called for opposition unity to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
