“Emergency corn ‘chewer’” – Wike chides Amaechi over FCT council poll results

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has chided a former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi over his actions during the campaigns for the just-concluded FCT Area Council election.

Wike while speaking at an event on Wednesday described Amaechi as an ‘emergency corn chewer’, who only associates with the masses in his time of need.

This description by Wike is in reference to some actions showcased by Nigerian politicians during election campaigns across the country.

Recall that in the heat of the FCT Area Council election campaigns, Amaechi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was captured in a video eating roasted corn – possibly bought by the roadside – while engaging with some residents.

This behaviour, an act which has been condemned by many, is usually adopted by Nigerian politicians during campaigns to signal their closeness or association with the masses.

However, reacting to this, Wike accused Amaechi of failing to associate with the masses during his tenure as the governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport among others.

He said, “Somebody was speaker, he was minister for eight years, he never came on the road to chew corn. Do you understand me? He never for one day came out on the road to chew corn.

“Now he wants your support, he has become an emergency corn ‘chewer’; will you allow that? We cannot,” Wike said.

He further urged the populace to ensure they distinguish between politicians who truly mean well for them and those who are selfish but only come to them when they need their votes.

“We must… ourselves, the people must know who we are and when they know that you are this kind of person, they know how to follow.

“Not today? You behave this way and tomorrow you behave another way, as you see me here, you can know what I will do and what I will not do.

“There are certain things that some people have said we should do, some I will not do and some I will do. I will just tell you then that everything you said I should do I will not do that one.

“I cannot play wayo to my people, do you want me to tell you lies? To this, the crowd chanted, “No”.