Nigerian Politicians Only Seek Power To Kill, Steal, And Remain In Office – Rotimi Amaechi

Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi has criticized Nigerian politicians, saying they are primarily in power to steal, kill, and remain in office.

Speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, Amaechi expressed frustration over the political system, blaming citizens for enabling politicians by forgetting past mistakes.

Noting that most people do not actively defend their votes, he urged Nigerians to always safeguard their votes if they intend to achieve a semblance of credible leadership.

“All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with anything. They get away with murder because you have a short memory. None of you here can defend the votes. You have complained; Nigerians have been clapping for you,” he said.

Rotimi Amaechi referenced President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that people expecting real change are wasting their time.

The former minister argued that politicians are not in power to serve the people but to maintain their grip on it.

He said, “Before the election of the last president, a lot of us were called to intervene. Why did they do that? The people were ready to die. You’re talking and abusing everybody; nobody has power and will give to you. Not even me. If you want a pastor as president, go and get one.

“The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, to maim, to kill, and to remain in power. If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you are wasting your time. When we speak, we forget history.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Amaechi revealed that poverty forced him into politics after graduating from university in 1987.

He emphasized that he has played a major role in shaping the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its victories.

“Unfortunately for me, poverty has made me part of the political system since I left university in 1987, and I’ve been part of the process till today,” he noted.

Amaechi added that his years in the political arena, particularly the All Progressives Congress, have made him a key figure that cannot be “wished away.”

He said, “You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you certainly can wish me away. You can’t wish me away in how APC won election, you can’t.

“But the truth is that if some of us did not stick out our necks to say PDP, Goodluck, we want to die with you. When they saw that we were ready to die, they gave up power.”

Amaechi also spoke about the transactional nature of Nigerian politics, recalling a conversation in Lagos where someone admitted that attendees at rallies were paid.

According to him, someone told him at an event in Lagos that the people were paid to attend and “if tomorrow Tinubu comes with the same transport money, they will also come.”

Sharing a story from an APC demonstration organised at the Eagles Square in Abuja and “money had been released to bring in some women,” Amaechi recalled how he arrived early to witness the event; however, he saw “the women gathered; guess what they were wearing? ‘Jonathan for President!”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar added his own experience, recalling a rally where the crowd disappeared before the event ended.

Obasanjo said, “Let me intervene here… because when Odili was in office as a governor, we went on a rally, and the entire stadium was filled to capacity, but before we could finish the rally, everybody had left. We were left alone, and then I asked what happened; he said they paid for only two hours. ”

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KanyiDaily recalls that Rotimi Amaechi previously revealed a deep-seated frustration and lack of faith in the political system and Nigerians’ engagement in addressing prevalent issues.