Former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi Finally Reveals What He Told President Tinubu Amid Coalition to Unseat Him
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Abuja, Nigeria – Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has publicly disclosed that he once told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he would neither support nor work for him, citing Tinubu’s alleged lack of capacity to govern Nigeria.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that Amaechi made this bold revelation during an event held in Abuja on Saturday to commemorate his 60th birthday celebration, attended by political allies, associates, and members of the public.
“I Told Tinubu I Would Not Work for Him” – Amaechi
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In his speech, the former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) recounted a prior interaction he had with Tinubu during a political event in Yola, where he categorically expressed his lack of support for the then APC presidential candidate.
“I told Tinubu in Yola, I will not support you; I will not work for you. I did not work for him; I did not vote for him. It was the issue of capacity,” Amaechi said.
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The former Rivers governor further explained that his opposition to Tinubu’s leadership was not personal but stemmed from his belief that the President lacks the competence to tackle Nigeria’s complex challenges.
Ethno-Religious Politics and Leadership Failure
Amaechi criticized the practice of ethno-religious voting, describing it as a major contributor to Nigeria’s recurring leadership crisis. He lamented how uneducated and vulnerable Nigerians are often manipulated by political elites to vote based on ethnicity and religion, rather than competence.
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“Some of us who are here are also those who vote on an ethnic or religious basis. Innocent, uneducated people are manipulated to vote based on ethnicity and religion — that’s why we are here,” he noted.
He pointedly questioned the rationale behind the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the APC, saying it has failed to deliver on promises.
“You that voted Muslim/Muslim ticket, let the Muslim market come out now,” he said sarcastically, implying that the expected economic benefits from such a ticket have not materialized.
Amaechi to the Opposition: “We Can Remove This Man”
In a stunning political declaration, Amaechi hinted at the possibility of mobilizing the opposition to “remove” President Tinubu from power, if necessary.
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“For us in opposition, if you want us to remove this man, we can remove this man from power. We want to submit to the opposition if the opposition will take us out of this problem,” he stated, drawing significant reactions from attendees.
His remarks signal growing disenchantment among some top APC figures and may further fuel ongoing political debates about President Tinubu’s governance style.
Poverty, Fuel Subsidy, and Corruption Allegations
The former minister didn’t mince words in accusing the Tinubu administration of weaponising poverty and failing to utilize public resources effectively.
“They are weaponising poverty by stealing the money they should have used to build hospitals and schools,” he alleged.
Amaechi also addressed the controversial fuel subsidy removal, claiming that the supposed economic gains have only benefitted politicians rather than ordinary Nigerians.
“The benefit of the fuel subsidy removal is in their pockets,” he asserted.
Political Implications
TJ News Nigeria reports that Amaechi’s remarks could deepen the rift within the ruling party and embolden opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections. His open disapproval of the President’s leadership may reflect broader dissatisfaction within political circles that have remained silent until now.
Political observers believe his statements may trigger realignments within the APC and further intensify calls for accountability in governance.
Background
Rotimi Amaechi served as the Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, and later as the Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari. A one-time presidential aspirant under the APC in 2022, Amaechi has remained a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and is known for his outspoken and bold political stance.
His latest comments mark one of the strongest criticisms yet from within the APC elite, indicating that internal resistance may be growing against President Tinubu’s leadership.
What you should know
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic hardship, high inflation, insecurity, and dwindling trust in public institutions, political stakeholders like Rotimi Amaechi are beginning to speak out more boldly. Whether these voices will lead to meaningful change or further political tension remains to be seen.
TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they unfold.
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