Amaechi: I won’t descend to Wike’s level — he was my employee

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says he will not descend to the level of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, by exchanging words with him.

Amaechi’s comment comes after Wike reportedly accused the federal government of protecting the minister from prosecution over allegations that he diverted funds of the state.

Both men have been at loggerheads before Wike became governor.

Wike, who served as chief of staff to Amaechi while he was governor, accused his predecessor of diverting the resources of the state — an allegation the minister has repeatedly denied.

The former governor was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but he left to work for the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as president in 2015.

Since then, their rift has deepened.

Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Amaechi said he did not want to discuss Wike whom he has surpassed on all levels.

“I don’t think I want to address the issue of the governor, I have made my point and I have moved on,” Amaechi said.

“He was my staff, I can’t bring myself low. I was a governor, I was also a speaker, I’m a minister. I was two-term chairman of governors’ forum. The same when I was a speaker. Why should I be discussing him?”

The minister also denied calling Wike a drunk.

“I only say that I don’t make statements under the influence of alcohol. Some people are attaching meaning to what I say,” he said.