Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu is not the country’s primary challenge, arguing instead that the weakness of opposition parties is largely responsible for Nigeria’s current political situation.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during a joint press conference convened by opposition leaders under the theme, “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy.” The event brought together prominent figures from various opposition parties to deliberate on the state of the nation’s democracy.
Addressing journalists, the former Rivers State governor maintained that meaningful political change in Nigeria would only occur when opposition parties demonstrate strength, unity and a clear ideological distinction from the ruling government.
“Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change,” Amaechi said.
He stressed that opposition parties must clearly separate themselves from the policies and practices of the government in power if they hope to gain the confidence of Nigerians.
“The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” he stated.
Reflecting on his time in government under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi alleged that electoral reform efforts were once stalled due to internal resistance within the administration.
According to him, Buhari had initially been willing to sign an electoral reform bill, but some ministers persuaded him not to, raising concerns that foreign actors could manipulate the system.
“When I was in government during Buhari’s time, he wanted electoral reform. A few ministers went to him and convinced him not to sign, saying that if he signed, Russia would hack the system and impose the wrong president on us, and he refused to sign,” Amaechi claimed.
He further noted that some of those who opposed the reform at the time are now publicly advocating for electoral changes.
Amaechi also argued that President Tinubu’s political strategy benefits from what he described as a fragmented and ineffective opposition.
“His strategy is simple. He’s trying something today, you are weak. He puts something bigger, you are weaker,” he said.
He questioned what he described as the President’s boldness in the face of criticism, suggesting that the administration’s confidence stems from a lack of formidable resistance.
“Which president goes to France when you are shouting that he is stealing our money? He still goes there. He will ask, ‘what will you do?’ You can do nothing,” Amaechi stated.
According to him, significant political reform will only occur when opposition parties demonstrate the capacity to act decisively and hold the government accountable.
“The day you show him you can do something, God will bless you,” he added.
The press conference was attended by leaders of several opposition political parties who called for renewed efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
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