Former presidential spokesman, veteran journalist and broadcaster Dr. Reuben Abati has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as “rude and disrespectful” in his criticism of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Abati identified “hubris”—excessive pride and arrogance—as the root of Wike’s persistent attacks on political figures who once supported his rise to power.
Abati’s remarks came in response to recent statements by Wike, who had derided Amaechi’s claim of political hunger at an event in Abuja. At his 60th birthday celebration last Friday, Amaechi hinted at aligning with the opposition coalition led by Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential race, saying, “I’m hungry,” and suggesting he was open to joining forces to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, reacting at a media parley in Abuja, accused Amaechi of dishonesty and desperation for power.
“I don’t know why a man would choose his 60th birthday to tell lies,” Wike said.
“He was Speaker from 1999 to 2007… governor from 2007 to 2015… minister from 2015 to 2023. When he was borrowing money, he didn’t talk about hunger. Two years after office, he says, ‘I’m in coalition because I’m hungry.’ He is only hungry for power, and that shows failure on his part.”
Wike further stated, “How do you insult Nigerians? How do you trivialise the issue of hunger or poverty?… He joined Atiku, and el-Rufai, all because he is hungry. Has he not insulted Nigerians? Just that he can’t stay out of power.”
However, Abati, during a live broadcast on Arise News, condemned Wike’s tone and attitude toward his former political mentor.
“When we teach students dramaturgy, we talk about flaw of character as a major trope in tragic stories. It’s called either Amartya or Hubris. I think what we’re dealing with with regard to Nyesom Wike is Hubris—Hubris, which relates to his own character,” Abati said.
He reminded viewers that Amaechi had played a critical role in Wike’s political ascent.
“Nyesom Wike is very rude, disrespectful, because Rotimi Amaechi is his boss in politics… It was Rotimi Amaechi that helped him to become local government chairman. He subsequently became chief of staff to Amaechi. It was Amaechi who recommended him to become a minister of state for education.”
Abati referenced a pattern in Wike’s behaviour, citing past instances where the minister publicly disrespected other political figures.
“This same Nyesom Wike… has also abused Peter Odili, Sir Peter Odili, an elder statesman. There is no name he has not called Dr. Peter Odili and his wife. He even referred to him as one man and his wife as one woman. This is a statement about character,” he added.
“This same Nyesom Wike says he’s fighting for President Jonathan and that there’s nobody in PDP that can stop him—not even Chief Olabode George, whom he referred to as a ground rent debtor. So who will Nyesom Wike not insult?”
He also warned that Wike’s conduct could one day extend to the current president.
“He has shown signal that he’s also going to insult President Bola Ahmed Tinubu… He pointed out that if he had known President Tinubu was going to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, he would have offered different advice. That’s already a signal to the President to know that this man you are dealing with is only interested in his own interests—permanent interests, not permanent friends.”