Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson, has advised President Bola Tinubu to tread carefully in his dealings with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning that the minister has a history of turning on those who once helped him.
Speaking on The Morning Show on ARISE Television on Tuesday, June 3, Abati took aim at Wike for making disparaging remarks about former allies and political mentors, describing his behaviour as “rude and disrespectful.”
The criticism came in response to Wike’s comments during a media chat on Monday, where he mocked his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, over Amaechi’s recent statement that Nigerians were facing hunger.
Wike dismissed the remarks as “politically motivated” and said Amaechi could not possibly be hungry after holding political office for two decades.
Abati responded sharply, accusing Wike of speaking recklessly about those who shaped his political journey.
“There is a basic principle in human relationships about your relationship with your bosses,” Abati said.
“I think Nyesom Wike is very rude and disrespectful because Rotimi Amaechi is his boss in politics.
“When he (Wike) was LGA chairman, during Amaechi’s second term, it was Rotimi Amaechi that helped him to become LGA chairman.
“Subsequently, he became chief of staff to Rotimi Amaechi. It was Amaechi who recommended him to become minister of state for education.”
Abati didn’t stop there. He went on to list others Wike had publicly criticised, including former Rivers Governor Peter Odili, who once backed his bid for governorship.
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“He talks carelessly about his former bosses. I think he is disrespectful. This speaks to his character,” he said.
“Still talking about his hubris, he has abused Sir Peter Odili, an elder statesman. He had said publicly that Peter Odili does not qualify to be an elder.
“This was the same man that he was taken to by Dr Patience Jonathan to help him become governor. There is no name he has not called Dr Peter Odili and his wife.
“He referred to Chief Olabode George as a ground rent debtor.”
Abati warned that Wike’s pattern of behaviour may soon extend to Tinubu himself.
“Who will Nyesom Wike not insult? He has shown signs that he is also going to insult President Bola Tinubu,” Abati stated.
“In that interview, he pointed out that if he had known that President Tinubu was going to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, he would have offered a different kind of advice.
“That is already a signal to President Tinubu to know that this man you are dealing with, his only interest is his own interests.
“President Tinubu should beware. Tomorrow he will abuse this same President Tinubu.”
Wike’s political ascent was supported at various times by both Odili and Amaechi. He served as chief of staff to Amaechi during his governorship and later became a minister under President Goodluck Jonathan before eventually succeeding Amaechi as Rivers governor in 2015. Their relationship soured in 2014 and has remained frosty ever since.