Former Rivers state governor, former Minister of Transport, and presidential aspirant, African Democratic Congress, (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi has said he should not be blamed for Nigeria’s current challenges, arguing that responsibility rests with Nigerians who voted President Bola Tinubu into office.
“I happen not to be President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, you can’t certainly put that blame on me. Indeed, if anybody should bear the blame, it’s Nigerians who passionately voted for him in the APC—not me,” he stated.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Amaechi defended his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s 2015 electoral victory, maintaining that while some objectives of the movement were achieved, many of its promises remain unfulfilled.
“When we decided to form the APC, trying to get Nigerians to know that this is the time for change. Did we achieve change? Here and there, in some areas, we did. In some areas, we did not like the current situation of our country. I didn’t quite think we achieved all the objectives we wanted to achieve,” he said.
Arguing that Nigerians should evaluate political leaders based on their track records in office rather than ethnicity or party sentiment, Amaechi insisted that his record as governor of Rivers State demonstrated tangible reforms in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and power generation.
“I’m a different politician. In Rivers State, we had primary schools—brand new primary schools—in every village. We began to to build secondary schools. We began to build a new university, the University of Science and Technology, which also was supposed to be digitalized. We didn’t complete it before we left, but what has happened to it is completely lost altogether. Literally every village had roads, literally nearly all, not all. Then we also dealt with the issue of power. We were power-sufficient. We built primary health care centers in every village of Rivers State. Not only did we build primary health care centers, we employed a new 400 doctors to make us 600 doctors. We did roads, water, everywhere,” he highlighted.
He added: “That is why I have said this election should be a referendum on all of us.”
On how he would tackle insecurity if elected president, Amaechi said it would require addressing economic despair by creating mass employment and large-scale housing projects to keep citizens engaged and reduce crime.
“Circumstances and environment force you to be a terrorist. So, what would I do if I were elected president? There’s social housing. And create job opportunities to keep people busy,” he said.
The former governor alleged that poverty is being weaponised for political manipulation, while also criticising alleged interference in opposition activities and calling for stronger adherence to the rule of law in Nigeria’s democratic system.
“The president is creating hunger as a way of manipulating voters. APC, if they say they are strong, why are they not allowing the opposition to have their political parties? Why are they influencing the political and government institutions against the opposition? Why wouldn’t they leave the rule of law? The first thing I would do as President of Nigeria is the rule of law. There has to be law and order,” he stressed.
On why he considers himself the best aspirant in the presidential race, Amaechi said he stands out due to his extensive leadership experience, including his roles as Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Speakers’ Forum, as well as his relatively younger age compared to other contenders.
“I’m the most experienced of them all. I’m the youngest, but most experienced. I have been Chairman of Governors Forum, none of them could present themselves as Chairman of Governors Forum because he was a governor. I have been Chairman of Speakers Forum. I’m the most experienced of them all. And I said I’m the youngest,” he maintained.
Amaechi reaffirmed his commitment to the ADC and said he would support its candidate, while warning that concerns would arise if the party’s primary process is not free and fair.
“I would not leave the ADC, I will support the ADC. But if the process is not free and fair, then it becomes a problem,” he warned.
Describing his previous unsuccessful presidential bid as emotionally and spiritually challenging, Amaechi said he is more confident in his current attempt under the ADC, citing increased political preparation and experience.
“I didn’t quite weep, but I began to ask God. I’m more confident. What makes me think that I could win the election is I’m not an ethnic politician,” he said.
On his campaign strategy, Amaechi said he is intensifying outreach within the ADC by engaging delegates directly, arguing that his reduced media presence previously affected perceptions of his popularity.
“I’m not on social media. I was doing my job by going to private individual members of the party and asking them to go for me.”
Speaking on his meeting with NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Amaechi said it was part of broader coalition discussions and not a negotiation for withdrawal, insisting that only delegates’ votes should determine the party’s presidential candidate.
“Peter Obi was only talking at that time about a southern front, because it was the turn of the south. And my position is south or north, let merit be the basis to win. Nobody can stop me from being president except stopping me by through vote,” he stressed.
The former governor urged Nigerians to hold politicians accountable, adding that this will drive the needed change expected of politicians.
“The day Nigerians decide to take power in their hands, Nigerian politicians will become responsible. The problem with Nigeria politics is that they are not held accountable,” he noted.
Reiterating his leadership style, Amaechi said he believes in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is applied fairly, regardless of political affiliation or personal relationships.
“My policy would be law and order. So it’s not because you don’t like the President and then you go to prison. You are of course a lawyer yourself. Yes. So now, it’s not because you don’t like my face that takes you to prison. What will take you to prison is what you have done. Now, not also will it be that because you like the President, then you’re forgiven from the crime you have committed. No,” he emphasised.
Responding to questions about the ADC’s prospects in 2027, he said the party must mobilise Nigerians to actively participate in the electoral process, defend their votes, and demand accountability to ensure credible elections.
“The first is to mobilize Nigerians. To know that the power to vote and be voted for rests in their hands. To know that if anybody tries to rig this election, the person should be held accountable for trying to rig election. to vote and remain there until they upload the result. Nigerians must learn how to defend their votes,” he urged.
The ADC presidential aspirant appealed for support from party members and Nigerians, promising accountable leadership, citizen participation in governance, and policies aimed at reducing poverty and crime across the country.
“The first message is: please vote for me. And I’m serious about it. I’m serious that Nigeria will change—not just about the ADC—Nigeria will change in all ramifications and on all fronts. Not only will Nigeria change, I want to be held accountable for every action I take. And I want to govern in a manner that the people themselves will be involved in the governance, just like we did in Port Harcourt.
“So ADC should vote for me because this shall be a new party, a new ADC, a new government. Why will Nigerians vote for me? Because I will reduce poverty. I didn’t say I would eradicate it; I said I would reduce poverty. So also would I reduce crime. I can do that in Nigeria,” he pledged.
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