Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has once again drawn attention to the high stakes and extreme measures often employed by Nigerian politicians in their pursuit of power. Speaking at a national conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy, organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development, Amaechi stressed the importance of political vigilance and warned that securing credible leadership in Nigeria requires a determined effort from the electorate.
The former governor of Rivers State, who has long been a key figure in Nigerian politics, urged Nigerians to be proactive in safeguarding their votes, saying that political power is not easily relinquished. “None of you here seated can defend the votes,” Amaechi remarked, addressing the attendees. “If you have complained, complain, Nigerians have been clapping for you. The only way Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was because people lined up,” he added, referencing the need for citizens to stand firm in their commitment to the electoral process.
Drawing on his own experiences, Amaechi reflected on the 2015 presidential election when the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) succeeded in defeating the long-standing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He attributed the APC’s victory to the party’s determination and the preparedness of its leaders to do whatever was necessary to secure the mandate.
Amaechi also pointed to international examples, noting that citizens in Ghana were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice during their last presidential election. “Two days, a lot of us were called to intervene. But why did they do that? The people were ready to die,” he said, underscoring the need for similar commitment in Nigeria. He emphasized that in Nigerian politics, power is rarely given willingly. “The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, maim, and kill to remain in power,” Amaechi warned. “If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you are wasting your time.”
The APC presidential aspirant in the 2023 general election further recounted his own journey through the party’s primaries, where he secured second place with 316 votes, behind eventual winner Bola Tinubu, who garnered 1,271 votes. Amaechi expressed his belief that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s concession of defeat in 2015 was the result of a recognition that the APC was ready to defend its victory—an approach Amaechi believes Nigerians should adopt in future elections.
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It is worth recalling that Amaechi who had expressed disappointment in Nigerians’ lack of urgency regarding the nation’s economic challenges in October 2024, reiterated the need for a more active and engaged electorate. However, his statements have sparked backlash from within the ruling APC, with some members accusing him of playing a role in Nigeria’s political decline.
It is worth noting that Amaechi’s remarks, both a warning and a call to action, highlight the intense struggles of Nigerian politics, where victory is often won not just at the ballot box but through a fierce contest of wills and tricks.
