Rotimi Amaechi warns Nigerians that President Tinubu will not cede power without a fight. Speaking at a democracy conference, he emphasizes the need for vigilance, political engagement, and a willingness to defend votes to achieve credible leadership. Amaechi reflects on past elections and calls for proactive citizen involvement.
Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria’s former Minister of Transportation, warned Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu would not easily relinquish power. Speaking at a national conference on democracy, Amaechi emphasized that achieving credible leadership requires active political engagement, vigilance, and the willingness to fight for votes. He advised Nigerians to safeguard their votes, reflecting on his own experiences during the 2015 elections when the All Progressives Congress (APC) succeeded by being fully prepared to defend its mandate.
Amaechi criticized the complacency of citizens, urging them to take proactive measures if they expect true change. He stressed that no politician would voluntarily surrender power, citing the fierce measures taken to secure positions in countries like Ghana. Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, he underscored the need for determination and the readiness to fight for political power. He also highlighted the past success of the APC in defeating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attributing the party's victory to strong leadership and the party's readiness to go the extra mile.
Amaechi concluded by calling for citizens to adopt a similar approach in future elections. Despite his calls for action, the ruling APC responded, criticizing Amaechi as part of the problem that contributed to Nigeria's challenges. Amaechi had contested for the APC presidential ticket in 2023 but lost to Tinubu.
