By Osisam Ede-
ARISE Television co-host and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, has openly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as “rude and disrespectful,” and warning that he may one day turn against President Bola Tinubu.
Abati’s comments were made on Tuesday during The Morning Show, a breakfast programme on ARISE TV, following Wike’s controversial remarks about former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike had, during a media chat on Monday, described Amaechi as someone “hungry for power.”
“Now that they are out of power, they say they are hungry. It’s not hunger for food. It’s hunger for power,” the FCT Minister said.
In response, Abati questioned Wike’s political manners and loyalty.
“I think that Nyesom Wike is very rude and disrespectful because Rotimi Amaechi is his boss in politics,” Abati said. “When he was local government chairman or was it councillor during Amaechi’s second term, it was Rotimi Amaechi that helped him to become local government chairman.”
He went further, accusing Wike of habitually disrespecting political mentors.
“Who will Nyesom Wike not insult?” Abati asked. “He insulted Senator John Mbata, who was his godfather at some point. He also insulted Peter Odili, who helped him become governor. Now he’s saying things that suggest he could turn on President Tinubu next.”
Abati pointed to Wike’s recent statement regarding the potential declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as a red flag.
“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,” Abati explained. “That is already a signal to President Tinubu to know that this man you are dealing with is only interested in his own interests.”
He concluded with a warning:
“President Tinubu should beware. Tomorrow he will abuse this same President Tinubu.”
English