Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is not Nigeria’s primary problem, blaming instead what he described as the weakness and disorganisation of opposition parties.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja at a joint press conference convened by leaders of various opposition parties.
According to reports, the briefing, themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” drew prominent political figures and stakeholders concerned about the state of the nation’s democracy.
In a candid assessment of the political climate, Amaechi said the opposition must accept responsibility for its current state if it truly hopes to effect change.
“Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change,” he said.
According to him, the inability of opposition parties to provide a formidable alternative has emboldened the ruling government and weakened democratic accountability.
He stressed that before seeking public trust, opposition parties must clearly distinguish themselves from the administration in power.
“The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” Amaechi stated.
Amaechi also reflected on his time in government under former President Muhammadu Buhari, recounting how efforts at electoral reform were allegedly frustrated from within the cabinet.
“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,” he revealed.
He added pointedly, “The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”
His comments appeared to suggest hypocrisy among some political actors who, according to him, once opposed reforms they now publicly advocate.
‘Tinubu’s Strategy’
Amaechi further argued that Tinubu’s political confidence is largely driven by 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 audacity in the face of mounting criticism.
“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.
The former Rivers State governor insisted that real political change would only come when the opposition demonstrates both unity and capacity to act decisively.
“The day you show him you can do something, God will bless you,” he added.
The press conference brought together leaders from several opposition political parties, who expressed concerns about the direction of Nigeria’s democracy and governance.
However, Amaechi’s remarks shifted part of the spotlight inward, urging opposition figures to reassess their strategies and rebuild public confidence if they are to effectively challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.