Kehinde Fajobi
Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that Nigerian politicians are primarily in power to steal, kill, and hold on to control.
Speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, Amaechi criticised the political system and the electorate’s tendency to forget history.
“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.
He directly referenced President Bola Tinubu, stating that power is never freely given.
“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 it 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,” he said.
Reflecting on his political journey, Amaechi linked his involvement to personal struggles.
“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.
He also highlighted his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that he was instrumental in the party’s rise to power.
“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,” he said.
Amaechi also spoke about the transactional nature of political rallies, sharing an experience where event attendees were paid to show support.
“At an event in Lagos, someone told me the people were paid to attend, and if tomorrow Tinubu comes with the same transport money, they will also come,” he said.
He recalled an APC demonstration at the Eagles Square in Abuja where “money had been released to bring in some women.”
However, when he arrived early, he saw “the women gathered; guess what they were wearing? ‘Jonathan for President!’”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, responding to Amaechi’s remarks, shared a similar experience.
“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.”