Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has formally announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the deteriorating state of the nation and accusing the ruling party of failing Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) interim executive, Amaechi criticised the APC and INEC, alleging both institutions are working to manipulate future elections.
“Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat. People can’t buy food. There’s no money to buy food. Everything is gone. Inflation is at its peak,” he declared.
Amaechi, who served as Minister under President Muhammadu Buhari, said he made the decision to leave the APC on Tuesday night and expressed surprise that the party had not already expelled him.
“You can’t be in a club where the majority of people are stealing and you don’t say anything,” he said.
He emphasised that his move is not just about opposing the current administration but about rebuilding Nigeria fundamentally.
“It’s about changing Nigeria. What must happen here is that we must start not just a party, but a movement… to on their own take over government, not us,” he added.
When asked about his views on President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Amaechi didn’t hold back.
“I have never believed that Tinubu is a material to govern the country… People want Buhari to come back.”
He compared the current economic challenges to the situation under Buhari’s tenure, pointing to the rapid depreciation of the naira.
“Dollar was I think ₦460 or five hundred and something, now a dollar is ₦1,580. That is more than 100 per cent,” he noted.
On whether the exchange rate crisis was intentional, Amaechi responded, “Whether it’s a deliberate government policy or not, any government that does not take into consideration the people you are governing is not a policy. President Tinubu said he is not here to make Nigerians happy.”
When questioned about his political aspirations, Amaechi simply stated, “I have the right to be ambitious, I am not overambitious.”
Amaechi’s defection is seen as another significant shift in the political landscape as opposition figures rally around the ADC in a bid to form a new national coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
