Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has made a bold statement about Nigerian politicians, saying they are in office to “steal, kill, and remain in power.” He made this remark while speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, an event focused on improving governance and political integrity.
Amaechi criticized Nigerians for not holding politicians accountable, saying they allow leaders to “get away with anything.”
“All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with murder because you have a short memory. None of you here can defend the votes,” he said.
Amaechi did not hold back in his criticism of Nigeria’s political system, particularly addressing those who expect President Bola Tinubu to hand over power easily.
“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,” he stated.
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According to him, politicians do not willingly hand over power, and those who desire change must be ready to fight for it.
“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,” he added.
Reflecting on his journey, Amaechi revealed that poverty was what drove him into politics.
“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.
He also defended his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he played a key role in the party’s victory over the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
“You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you can’t wish me away in how APC won elections. 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, power would not have changed hands,” he said.
Amaechi also shed light on the financial transactions behind political rallies. He recalled an instance where he was told that people who attended a political event in Lagos had been paid to do so.
“Someone told me 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,” he said.
He also shared another incident from an APC demonstration at Eagles Square in Abuja, where money had been released to bring in supporters. However, upon arrival, he noticed that the women in attendance were wearing shirts that read “Jonathan for President!”—indicating that they had previously been paid to support the opposition.
In response to Amaechi’s comments, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shared his own experience with paid supporters.
“Let me intervene here… When Peter Odili was in office as governor, we went on a rally, and the entire stadium was filled. But before we could finish, everyone had left. I asked what happened, and Odili said they were paid for only two hours,” Atiku recounted.