Why I Made Wike Chief Of Staff – Amaechi
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained why he appointed Nyesom Wike as his Chief of Staff rather than Commissioner for Finance during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State. According to Amaechi, the decision was made so he could keep a closer eye on Wike.
This clarification comes after Wike responded to Amaechi’s recent comment at his 60th birthday celebration—where Amaechi said, “We’re all hungry”—suggesting that Amaechi’s hunger was not for food but for political relevance.
Amaechi, however, refuted Wike’s claim that he owed his rise to the governorship to him, emphasizing instead that his emergence as governor was due to the will of God, support from former Governor Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the people of Rivers State.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday evening, Amaechi added that although he appointed Wike as Chief of Staff, he would not engage in a public war of words with him.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary and the Rivers state people made me governor,” he said.
“Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.
“I wanted him as chief of staff so I could supervise him. I didn’t offer him commissioner for finance. You see, I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.
“You know, he made himself chief of staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman.”