Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is not Nigeria’s main problem, citing the opposition’s weakness as the root cause of the country’s political challenges.
The statement came during a press conference held by opposition party leaders in Abuja on Thursday, themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” which drew key figures from the opposition.
Speaking at the event, Amaechi asserted, “Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change.”
He emphasized the need for opposition parties to clearly differentiate themselves from the ruling government to regain Nigerians’ trust.
“The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” Amaechi said.
Reflecting on his time in government under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi alleged that efforts toward electoral reform were blocked after some ministers convinced Buhari not to sign the reform bill.
“When I was in government during Buhari’s time, he wanted electoral reform. A few ministers went to him and persuaded him not to sign, claiming that if he signed, Russia would hack the system and impose the wrong president on us. Buhari refused to sign,” he recalled.
Amaechi added, “The same people are now shouting for electoral reform.”
Turning to the political dynamics under President Tinubu, he argued that Tinubu’s strategy capitalizes on the opposition’s weaknesses.
“His strategy is simple. He tries something, and if you are weak, he pushes something bigger. You become weaker,” Amaechi said.
The remarks spotlight ongoing concerns within Nigeria’s political landscape and a call for stronger opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
