Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has criticised Nigerians for being too passive in the face of growing economic hardship, accusing the public of enabling a corrupt elite to dominate the country.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey by the Africa Polling Institute, Amaechi lamented what he called the docility of Nigerians amid worsening inflation, hunger, and insecurity.
“The elites who are stealing Nigerian money are not up to 100,000, but you have 200 million Nigerians who can fight them,” Amaechi said.
“You sit down in your house and complain and grumble. The elites know you’re not happy. But you made yourself helpless.”
“Any Revolution Without Blood Is a Failure”
Amaechi didn’t mince words, calling for a radical shift in public attitude and warning that unless Nigerians take decisive action, President Bola Tinubu will return to power in 2027.
“The only way you can stop Tinubu is to run an election of Nigerians versus the bandits,” he added.
The former Rivers State governor also announced his official resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he had long cut ties with the party.
“I left APC last night. I warned them not to invite me to any meeting again,” he said.
“People Want Buhari Back”
Amaechi took a swipe at the current administration, stating that things were better under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“People want Buhari back because things were better during his time. Look at the exchange rate. Then it was about ₦460 to a dollar; now it’s over ₦1,500.”
He also criticised the government for being more concerned with political power than the wellbeing of citizens.
“Any government that doesn’t consider the people is not worth it,” he stated.
Labour, Student Movements Have Gone Quiet
Amaechi expressed disappointment at how once-powerful civil movements have gone silent.
“In the past, ASUU, NLC, and NANS could shut down the government with coordinated protests. Now NLC can’t even mobilise. Why? Ethnicity,” he lamented.
“I Wanted to Japa, But My Wife Said No”
The former minister also confessed that he had considered relocating abroad, commonly referred to as “japa”, but was dissuaded by his wife.
“I wanted to japa, but my wife said Nigeria is still lovely,” he said.
As economic challenges worsen across Nigeria, Amaechi’s remarks have stirred strong reactions online, with many calling his resignation and bold statements a major political turning point.
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