The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to comments by his predecessor and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, over claims that he (Wike) does not accord him respect.

Naijaonpoint reports that Amaechi, while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, had expressed bewilderment over Wike’s perceived lack of regard for him, despite being his senior and political mentor.

Amaechi said, “I don’t know why he doesn’t respect people like us. I am older. I brought him up in politics. Let the Minister of the FCT come, let’s take a walk from the airport to Port Harcourt, no police, no army, nothing, just the two of us.”

In a sharp rebuttal during his own appearance on Politics Today on Friday, Wike dismissed the former minister’s remarks, stating that respect is not a product of age or political seniority, but rather one’s conduct and integrity.

Wike said, “I think it’s very unfortunate. First of all, you should be respected by the integrity you have. You should be respected by the honour you have.

“You shouldn’t be respected because you are 200 years old. First of all, he can’t claim to be my senior. It was unfair of him to make that kind of comment.”

Wike also refuted the notion that political elevation must follow a linear or age-based trajectory.

He said, “The mere fact that he was a governor before me, there is no law that says, ‘If I am senior to you, I’ll be a governor before you.

“To God be the glory. He gives power to whom He wants to give power at the right time. It is for you to use what God has given to you to enhance the upliftment of mankind.”