Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has publicly rebuked former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi after Amaechi blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies for the death of his mother, describing the allegation as a “ploy for political sympathy.”
Amaechi, who served as governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and later as Minister of Transportation, said his mother’s passing was linked to decisions made by Tinubu’s administration, implying that the president’s policies had directly contributed to her death.
Wike, himself a former governor of Rivers State and now a member of President Tinubu’s cabinet, dismissed Amaechi’s claim as unfounded. He accused Amaechi of exploiting a personal tragedy for political gain, calling the accusation “a ploy for political sympathy” and urging the former governor to focus on constructive engagement rather than personal attacks.
The exchange underscores a long‑standing rivalry between the two politicians. Wike succeeded Amaechi as governor in 2015, and their relationship has been marked by public spats and competing ambitions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Both men remain influential figures in the party’s southern bloc.
As of now, the presidency has not issued a comment on Amaechi’s allegation or Wike’s rebuttal. The incident adds another layer to intra‑party tensions ahead of forthcoming electoral contests in Nigeria.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>