A senior figure in Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticised a prominent Rivers State elder for drawing comparisons between former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike, calling the exercise historically flawed and politically motivated.
The exchange stems from remarks by Elder Anabs Sara-Igbe, who highlighted a perceived difference between the two former governors regarding their ability to secure federal appointments for their associates. Sara-Igbe suggested that Wike, currently Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been more successful in this regard, a factor he linked to potential challenges for Amaechi’s presidential ambition within the Niger Delta region.
In a sharply worded response, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, an APC chieftain, dismissed the comparison as an “attention-seeking” and “lame narrative.” He argued that historical records and contributions to regional development render any equivalence invalid. Eze contended that Amaechi’s legacy in Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta is defined by significant developmental projects and fostering peace and unity, for which “history and posterity have always been kind” to him.
Eze further faulted the premise of Sara-Igbe’s analysis, noting a key political connection between the two men. He pointed out that Wike served as Chief of Staff during Amaechi’s governorship and was subsequently recommended by Amaechi to President Goodluck Jonathan for appointment as a Minister of State for Education. “If not for Amaechi’s humane, good heart, kind and calm nature, Nyesom Wike could not have reached the political zenith he is assumed to have achieved,” Eze stated, framing Amaechi as a foundational mentor to Wike’s career.
The dispute underscores the enduring political tensions within Rivers State, a critical Niger Delta state, and reflects the complex personal and political histories that shape regional allegiances. By rejecting the comparison, Eze positions Amaechi’s tenure as a period of foundational state-building, contrasting it with what he implies is Wike’s focus on patronage. The clash highlights how assessments of political legacies remain fiercely contested ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with implications for coalition-building in the Niger Delta and the APC’s internal dynamics. The debate is expected to intensify as political actors continue to jockey for influence in the region.
