– FCT Minister hits back at former ally over respect claims
– “Respect is earned, not demanded,” says Wike
– Ongoing feud between former Rivers governors intensifies
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has clapped back at former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, over accusations that he has refused to accord his predecessor the respect he deserves.
During an interview with Channels Television on Friday, July 5, Wike said respect is not automatic, and can only be earned through character and integrity, not age or previous political titles.
“You earn respect through integrity and honour, not because you are 200 years old,” Wike said.
“It is unfair for him to say he is my senior and expect that alone to command respect.”
Amaechi dared Wike to test his popularity
Naija Blog earlier reported that Amaechi, in an interview on Thursday, challenged Wike to walk with him from Abuja to Port Harcourt without security as a test of who is more popular among the people.
“Let the Minister of the FCT come, let’s take a walk… no police, no army, nothing, just the two of us,” Amaechi had said.
“I brought him up in politics. Who is he?”
But Wike, clearly unfazed, dismissed the challenge and instead turned the conversation towards moral values.
Long-running political feud reignites
The verbal exchange is the latest in the decade-long rivalry between the two political heavyweights, who once worked closely together in Rivers State politics.
Amaechi served as governor from 2007 to 2015, while Wike succeeded him and governed from 2015 to 2023 before joining President Tinubu’s cabinet as FCT Minister.
Their once-close relationship deteriorated into public hostility, with both men frequently trading verbal jabs over political influence, leadership style, and party allegiance.
