Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said Nigeria’s political troubles cannot be placed solely on President Bola Tinubu, arguing that a disorganised opposition bears much of the blame.
His remarks came during a joint press conference by opposition figures in Abuja on Thursday, the 26th of February, 2026.
The event, tagged “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” drew key leaders from different opposition parties.
Addressing participants, Amaechi declared, “Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change.”
He urged opposition groups to draw a clear line between themselves and the ruling party if they expect public confidence.
“The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” Amaechi stated.
Reflecting on his time in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari, he claimed that efforts to reform the electoral system were frustrated internally.
“When I was in government during Buhari’s time, he wanted electoral reform. A few ministers went to him and convinced him not to sign, saying that if he signed, Russia would hack the system and impose the wrong president on us, and he refused to sign,” he said.
He added, “The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”
READ ALSO: VIDEO: I Didn’t Destroy Any Opposition — Tinubu
Amaechi maintained that Tinubu’s political edge stems from the frailty of his challengers.
“His strategy is simple. He’s trying something today, you are weak. He puts something bigger, you are weaker,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as the President’s confidence despite public accusations.
“Which president goes to France when you are shouting that he is stealing our money? He still goes there. He will ask, ‘what will you do?’ You can do nothing,” Amaechi said.
He concluded that real progress depends on the opposition demonstrating strength and resolve.
“The day you show him you can do something, God will bless you,” he added.
Leaders from several opposition parties were present at the briefing.