Former transport minister declares Nigeria in crisis, calls for national rebirth through people-led political movement
ABUJA, Nigeria | July 1, 2025
Former Minister of Transportation and two-time presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi has formally parted ways with the All Progressives Congress (APC), issuing a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and declaring that Nigeria is facing an unprecedented socioeconomic collapse.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the public unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) interim leadership, Amaechi accused the ruling APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of conspiring to undermine democratic processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat. There’s no money. Inflation is at its peak. Everything is gone,” Amaechi said at the event, which attracted several opposition leaders and former top officials.
The former Rivers State governor confirmed that he resigned from the APC on Tuesday night, adding that he had earlier warned the party’s leadership to stop inviting him to internal meetings.
“You can’t be in a club where the majority of people are stealing and you don’t say anything,” he added, alluding to widespread corruption and internal dysfunction within the APC.
Rather than aligning with any single party, Amaechi urged for a nationwide movement driven by citizens committed to systemic reform.
“This is not just about forming another party,” he said. “What must happen is the rise of a movement—one that allows the people to reclaim governance for themselves, not for us.”
On the state of governance under President Tinubu, Amaechi was blunt in his assessment.
“I never believed Tinubu was fit to govern the country,” he declared. “People are now wishing Buhari would return.”
Comparing current economic indicators with conditions under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi criticized the administration’s failure to stabilize the naira and manage inflation.
“The exchange rate under Buhari was about ₦460 to the dollar. Today, it’s ₦1,580—that’s more than a 100 percent decline,” he noted.
When questioned on whether the ongoing economic hardship was the result of intentional policies, Amaechi replied:
“Deliberate or not, any government that doesn’t consider the welfare of its people has failed in its basic duty. President Tinubu even said he’s not here to make Nigerians happy.”
On his future political intentions, the former minister did not rule out a return to frontline politics, stating,
“I have the right to be ambitious. I’m not overambitious, but I do care deeply about the future of this country.”
Amaechi’s departure from the APC marks a significant development in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, as prominent political figures increasingly seek new platforms and alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
As Nigeria grapples with spiraling inflation, currency devaluation, and public discontent, Amaechi’s exit from the APC and his call for a transformative political movement could signal broader realignments within the opposition. With 2027 fast approaching, his comments add to growing pressure on the Tinubu administration to restore public confidence in governance.
