A former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said that Nigerian politicians are in power to steal, kill, and retain power.
Amaechi made this remark at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held earlier this week, aimed at discussing pathways to good governance and political integrity in Nigeria.
While speaking at the event, Amaechi said, “All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with anything. They get away with murder because you have a short memory. None of you here can defend the votes. You have complained; Nigerians have been clapping for you.”
Amaechi further made a direct reference to President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that the current political climate would remain unchanged, adding that many Nigerians tend to forget history.
He said, “Before the election of the last president, a lot of us were called to intervene. Why did they do that? The people were ready to die. You’re talking and abusing everybody; nobody has power and will give to you. Not even me. If you want a pastor as president, go and get one.
“The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, to maim, to kill, and to remain in power. If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you are wasting your time. When we speak, we forget history.”
Reflecting on his own personal journey in Nigerian politics, Amaechi said that his involvement in the political system had been shaped by poverty and necessity.
“Unfortunately for me, poverty has made me part of the political system since I left university in 1987, and I’ve been part of the process till today,” he noted.
Amaechi added that his years in the political arena, particularly the All Progressives Congress, have made him a key figure that cannot be “wished away.”
“You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you certainly can wish me away. You can’t wish me away in how APC won election, you can’t.
“But the truth is that if some of us did not stick out our necks to say PDP, Goodluck, we want to die with you. When they saw that we were ready to die, they gave up power,” he said.
Amaechi also explained the transactional nature of some political rallies when he recounted how someone had told him at an event in Lagos that the people were paid to attend and “if tomorrow Tinubu comes with the same transport money, they will also come.”
Sharing a story from an APC demonstration organised at the Eagles Square in Abuja and “money had been released to bring in some women,” Amaechi recalled how he arrived early to witness the event; however, he saw “the women gathered; guess what they were wearing? ‘Jonathan for President!”
In response to Amaechi’s comments, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shared his own story, saying, “Let me intervene here… because when Odili was in office as a governor, we went on a rally, and the entire stadium was filled to capacity, but before we could finish the rally, everybody had left. We were left alone, and then I asked what happened; he said they paid for only two hours. ”
