Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, has warned that President Bola Tinubu will not relinquish power to the younger generation without resistance, stressing that leadership in Nigeria is fiercely contested.
Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja, organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Amaechi said that elections in Nigeria are often a battleground where politicians go to extreme lengths to secure victory.
He urged citizens to be politically vigilant and ready to defend their votes if they desire credible leadership.
“The only way Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was because people lined up. It happened in Ghana before the last election. The people were ready to die,” Amaechi said.
Read also: What Tinubu failed to do before removing subsidy – Amaechi
“If you think Tinubu will just give you power, you are wasting your time.”
Recalling the 2015 presidential election, Amaechi credited the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party’s preparedness to defend its mandate.
He claimed former President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat only after realising APC leaders were willing to go the extra mile.
Amaechi, who finished second behind Tinubu in the APC’s 2023 presidential primary, has been vocal about the state of Nigeria’s democracy. In October 2024, he expressed disappointment in Nigerians for what he described as a passive response to economic hardship.
“The people should be angry. There should be protests – not even against anyone, but against the politicians. Say, ‘We won’t vote,’” he said.
His comments have drawn criticism from the ruling APC, which has accused him of contributing to Nigeria’s challenges.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
