At his 60th birthday event in Abuja, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi openly declared he told President Bola Tinubu to his face that he wouldn't vote for him in the 2023 elections, citing a "lack of capacity" to lead Nigeria.
Speaking before dignitaries including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Wole Soyinka, Amaechi stated, “I met President Tinubu in Yola and I told him I would not work for you and I would not vote for you.”
- Amaechi confirmed he did not vote for Tinubu or support his candidacy.
- Blamed poor governance on religious and ethnic voting patterns.
- Urged the opposition to unite and prioritise national interest over personal ambition.
- Declared willingness to work with any opposition bloc that can rescue Nigeria.
- Accused Tinubu’s administration of enriching individuals rather than citizens.
Amaechi, who came second in the APC presidential primary, said that while he agrees with some of Tinubu’s policies, the benefits have not reached the masses. “They are in private pockets,” he said, echoing frustrations over economic hardship.
He concluded with a rallying cry for opposition unity: “If we want to remove him, we can remove him… but we must first submit to the interest of the nation.”
