The Grassroots Mobilisation Initiative (GMI) has called on the Federal Government to urgently respond to recent comments made by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing them as “reckless, inflammatory, and a veiled call to violence.”
Amaechi, while speaking at a recent public forum, reportedly suggested that the only way to prevent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from returning to power in 2027 is for Nigerians to “take their fate into their own hands.” The remarks have since sparked widespread concern over their potential to incite unrest.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, GMI’s National Coordinator, Samaila Musa, said the former minister’s statements pose a serious threat to national peace and stability. He urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to reject any form of violence and instead pursue change through civic engagement and democratic means.
“Amaechi’s remarks are dangerous and echo past situations that led to bloodshed and national crises,” Musa warned. “By encouraging confrontation with the elite, he is essentially calling for chaos.”
The group also condemned Amaechi’s references to uprisings in countries like Bangladesh, Peru, and Chile, warning that such comparisons ignore Nigeria’s unique and fragile socio-political landscape.
“Drawing parallels with foreign revolts shows a disturbing disregard for Nigeria’s complex history. We have suffered enough from past conflicts and cannot afford to be pushed into another era of instability,” Musa added.
GMI dismissed as “misguided and dangerous” Amaechi’s alleged assertion that revolutions require bloodshed. The group called on him to retract the comments and instead champion peaceful and constructive solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
“It is the duty of leaders and former office holders to promote peace and national unity—not to stoke tension,” Musa emphasized.
The group reiterated that the fight against corruption and bad governance must be carried out through peaceful advocacy, stressing that “our power lies in unity and lawful resistance, not conflict.”
GMI further urged the Federal Government to take swift action to address the implications of Amaechi’s remarks and prevent any potential unrest.
“It is unacceptable for such provocative statements to go unchallenged. The government must act now to preserve national cohesion and stability,” the statement concluded.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and responsible leadership, GMI encouraged Nigerians to remain resolute in seeking justice through legal and non-violent means.
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