During a media chat in Abuja, Wike denied that Amaechi was his boss, stating that the former Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation lacked political influence. He argued that Amaechi was unable to deliver Rivers State to then-President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 general elections, despite holding a key national role within the APC.
The FCT Minister also took aim at Arise Television anchor and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, who had earlier described Wike as “very rude” and affirmed that Amaechi was indeed Wike’s political mentor. Abati made the remark while reacting to Wike’s accusation that Amaechi was power-hungry and failed to secure 10 percent of the votes in support of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election.
In a follow-up reaction, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, challenged Abati’s assertion. In a Facebook post, Olayinka questioned how Amaechi could still be considered Wike’s political boss. He claimed that Wike had remained in Rivers State to fight for Amaechi’s mandate in 2007, when the latter allegedly fled to Ghana during a political crisis.
Responding to the ongoing discourse, Amaechi, during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, was asked about the current state of his relationship with Wike. “Why go into personal life?” he replied when asked if they were still friends.
Pressed further on whether he still socializes with Wike, Amaechi stated, “I have told you this several times, subordinates. I was once his boss, whether he likes it or not. I hired him; I could have said no.”
The exchange between both political figures reflects ongoing tensions within the Rivers State political landscape, where both Amaechi and Wike have played prominent and often opposing roles in state and national affairs. PUO Reports will continue to follow developments in this evolving political saga.
