Abuja, Nigeria — Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has made a bold statement about Nigeria’s political future. Speaking at the public presentation of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report by the Africa Polling Institute in Abuja, Amaechi said the only way to stop President Bola Tinubu from returning to power in 2027 is for Nigerians to take control of their own destiny.
“The only way you can stop Tinubu from being the president of Nigeria in 2027 is to run an election of Nigerians versus the bandits,” he said. “If you think you will just sit down and do that, may God be with you.”
Amaechi criticized ordinary citizens for staying silent and inactive while a small group of elites controls the nation’s wealth and power. According to him, fewer than 100,000 elites are benefiting while over 200 million Nigerians continue to suffer.
“You sit in your house and grumble. What makes you think the elites don’t know how you feel? They know you are unhappy. But you’re not helpless because of them – you made yourself helpless,” he added.
Lessons from Other Countries
Amaechi urged Nigerians to learn from countries where people stood up for their rights, such as Bangladesh, Peru, and Chile. He said real change doesn’t come easily, and revolutions often involve sacrifice.
“Please tell me, has there been any revolution without blood? Any revolution without blood is a failure,” he said, stressing the need for bold action.
Personal Frustration
The former governor also expressed his own frustration with Nigeria’s condition, revealing that he once considered leaving the country.
“I told my wife, I want to Japa (leave the country) like you young people. I can get a visa to live anywhere. But she said no. She said Nigeria is lovable,” he shared.
The Weakening of Student and Labour Movements
Amaechi recalled a time when students, lecturers, and workers stood united and could force the government to listen. Back then, organisations like NANS (National Association of Nigerian Students), ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities), and NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) worked together.
“Now, NLC can’t even mobilise. I even offered to join them in protest. But they said they can’t,” he lamented. “Why? Ethnicity. Nigeria has totally collapsed.”
Politicians Worse Than the Military?
Amaechi also criticized Nigeria’s political class, saying they’ve caused more suffering than the military did during the years of dictatorship.
“We pushed away the military and brought in the politicians. The politicians have shown they are worse than the military,” he said.
Drawing from his time as Governor, Amaechi explained that rising crime is directly linked to poverty and lack of economic activity. He said that once contractors and workers are paid, money flows through the system – helping reduce crime.
“When people get paid, they buy goods, pay doctors, tailors, and so on. The money goes around. And then crime reduces,” he explained.
Presenting the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report, the Executive Director of the Africa Polling Institute, Professor Bell Ihua, said the findings show that Nigerians are united by shared economic hardship, regardless of tribe, religion, or background.
“The government needs to act based on this scientific data
