Oluwatosin Enesi
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed concerns that President Bola Tinubu is not prepared to relinquish power in 2027.
Amaechi made this known in Abuja at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development.
He criticised the attitude of Nigerian voters, accusing them of being easily swayed by politicians’ rhetoric and financial inducements.
He admitted that when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was newly formed, the chieftains of the party paid women to demonstrate against the then ruling party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and then President Goodluck Jonathan government.
According to Amaechi, many citizens do not ask critical questions about governance but rather focus on short-term benefits like transport fares provided by politicians.
“We have sweet mouths; we repeat the same things every day. Tomorrow, they will call you in Lagos, and you will go. Somebody told me in Lagos, ‘Mr. Amaechi, these people that gathered here, we called them, gave them transport money, and they came. If tomorrow Tinubu does the same, they will also come,’” he said.
Amaechi also recounted his experience during the early days of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), revealing how party supporters were mobilised for demonstrations through financial incentives.
“When APC was registered, I feared they might rig us out. So, we agreed to organise a demonstration at Eagle Square. We paid people to bring women and others. When I arrived early to assess the situation, I was shocked to see that the women we brought were wearing ‘Jonathan for President’ shirts.”
The former minister said, “All we have here is typical Nigerians, typical Nigerians, and you are clapping. That’s why politicians get away with everything—get away with murder—because you have short memory.”
He further warned that if citizens expect a change from the political elite, including the current administration, they would be disappointed.
Amaechi said, “Nobody has power that will give it to you, not even me.
He also claimed that Nigerian politicians, including Tinubu, are more interested in maintaining power through manipulation and violence than in fair governance.
He warned that those calling for change and expecting Tinubu to step down voluntarily are wasting their time, stressing, “None of you here seated can defend the votes, you have complained, complained, and Nigerians have clapped for you.”
Our Reporter
