Former Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has pledged to fundamentally transform Nigeria within four years if elected in the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi made the declaration on Thursday shortly after submitting his nomination forms at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja. During the event, the former governor of Rivers State launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, blaming its policies for the country’s worsening economic crisis.
A ‘Referendum on Performance’
Amaechi argued that the 2027 contest should serve as a “referendum” on the track records of those seeking the nation’s highest office, urging Nigerians to reject ethnic and regional sentiments.
“What Nigerians should do is assess all of us running for office based on our records,” Amaechi said. “Nearly everyone running for president has served Nigeria in one way or another. If you have performed, let the people see it. Whoever has outperformed the others, vote for that person.”
The former minister cited his dual tenure as Governor of Rivers State (2007–2015) and his seven-year stint as Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari as evidence of his capacity to deliver.
“I am young, I am the most experienced, and I have the capacity. Go back to Rivers State and the Ministry of Transportation to see what I have done. Assess it and see whether I can turn the country around. I am confident that in four years, I will do exactly that,” he declared.
Critique of ‘Emilokan’ Politics
Addressing the current state of the nation, Amaechi slammed the “Emilokan” (it is my turn) political philosophy, which he linked to the current economic hardship.
“Nigerians should vote for merit, not for those who say, ‘I’m from this place’ or ‘it is our turn.’ It is that ‘Emilokan’ mentality that brought us here. Now, Nigerians are suffering,” he said.
He noted that the economic reality defies religious and ethnic boundaries, stating that “there is no separate market for Christians, Muslims, Northerners, or Southerners.”
“The market has only one purpose—the naira. The current president has put us in this suffering. I don’t know why he wants to run again, or why the APC wants to participate. They should be ashamed and allow other Nigerians to change the country,” Amaechi added.
Primary Elections and Realignments
On the upcoming ADC presidential primaries, Amaechi expressed a preference for a direct primary process but noted he would be open to a consensus arrangement if the party chose him as the flagbearer.
“I’m going for the primary. If the consensus is me, fine. But if it’s not, I am ready to contest the primary,” he stated.
Amaechi’s entry into the ADC highlights the shifting political landscape ahead of 2027. While the ADC has recently seen the departure of high-profile figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), it continues to attract established politicians looking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
As Minister of Transportation (2015–2023), Amaechi was credited with the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan rail lines, though his tenure also faced scrutiny over the sustainability of foreign loans used to fund these projects.
