Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has highlighted the extreme measures often employed by Nigerian politicians in their bid for power. Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development in Abuja, Amaechi stressed the need for political vigilance and urged Nigerians to safeguard their votes to ensure credible leadership.
Amaechi, who previously served as governor of Rivers State, warned attendees that power in Nigeria is rarely conceded without a fight, urging citizens to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect the integrity of the electoral process. “None of you here seated can defend the votes. If you have complained, complain, Nigerians have been clapping for you,” he stated, emphasizing the need for active participation in safeguarding the democratic process.
He cited historical examples, including the election of Ibrahim Shekarau as governor and the presidential election in Ghana, where citizens were ready to make significant sacrifices to secure their votes. Amaechi further asserted that political power in Nigeria is often pursued by extreme means, stating, “The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, maim, and kill to remain in power.”
He also addressed the notion of a pastor as president, saying that the pursuit of power in the country is not easy and no one is willing to simply hand it over. Reflecting on his experience during the 2015 presidential election, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) successfully defeated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amaechi credited the APC’s victory to the party’s determination and preparedness to defend its mandate.
Amaechi encouraged citizens to adopt similar strategies in future elections, advocating for a more active and determined approach to defending electoral outcomes. He also noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat in 2015 only after recognizing that the APC was fully prepared to protect its victory.
The remarks come amid continued criticism from the ruling APC, which has responded by accusing Amaechi of contributing to the country’s current challenges. Amaechi, who was a presidential aspirant for the APC in the 2023 general election, came second in the party’s primary with 316 votes, behind the eventual winner, Bola Tinubu, who secured 1,271 votes.
Amaechi had previously expressed his disappointment with Nigerians’ reaction to ongoing economic hardships, highlighting the country’s political and economic struggles.
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