Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims that he joined the opposition because President Bola Tinubu failed to offer him a political appointment.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Amaechi made it clear he isn’t chasing any public office or government role, adding that his move to support the newly adopted political platform, African Democratic Congress (ADC), is based on principle.
“I’m not in opposition because Tinubu didn’t appoint me. I’m not even interested in any appointment. I never stole in politics, I don’t drive a Rolls-Royce. If anyone claims I deceived them or was corrupt, they should speak up,” he said.
Amaechi, who served as governor of Rivers State and later a federal minister under Muhammadu Buhari, stated that while Buhari’s administration wasn’t perfect, it performed better than the current government, especially on security and institutional independence.
He argued that Buhari gave more freedom to INEC, the electoral commission, than Tinubu’s government. “Now, parties can’t even register freely because officials are blocking them. Some applicants can’t renew their office rent,” he said.
On the economy, Amaechi accused the current administration of worsening poverty and shrinking the middle class. “This government has buried the economy. If Nigerians don’t have money in their pockets, then it’s not working. What happened to all the money saved from fuel subsidy and naira floating?” he asked.
He concluded that Nigeria has now split into just two groups — the rich and the poor, with nothing left in between.
