Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has mocked former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of abusing power and failing in his alleged attempt to destroy former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman.
Oshiomhole made the remarks in Abuja while delivering a speech at the 50th birthday celebration of Hadiza Usman, an event attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, top government officials, ministers, and senior political figures.Recalling the period Usman was appointed NPA Managing Director, Oshiomhole said some individuals, whom he described as “drunk with power,” moved to rubbish her reputation and family name without understanding her background.
According to him, those efforts backfired, as the individuals behind them have since lost political relevance and influence.“They wanted to destroy you and rubbish your family name. In the end, they destroyed themselves. Today, they are hungry,” Oshiomhole said.Though he did not mention Amaechi by name during the event, Oshiomhole’s remarks were widely interpreted as a direct jab at the former minister, who had a long-standing public dispute with Usman during her time at the NPA.
The senator went further to mock the decline of those he accused of abusing power, saying their loss of influence should serve as a warning to others.“Those who were powerful yesterday are hungry today. May this hunger remain till they return to their creator,” he added.
Oshiomhole contrasted Usman’s current standing with that of her critics, pointing to the presence of the Vice President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Chief of Staff to the President at her birthday celebration as evidence of her continued relevance.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing Usman as a policy adviser, stressing that the decision was based on merit and competence rather than political favour.
According to Oshiomhole, resistance to reform is often driven by those who benefited from the old system, insisting that meaningful change requires tough policy decisions.He described Usman as a principled reformer shaped by her late father, Professor Bala Usman, whom he praised for rejecting unearned titles and privileges.
Oshiomhole concluded by describing Hadiza Usman as a woman of strength and integrity, insisting that those who once sought to undermine her had only exposed their own misuse of power.
