Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a scathing criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that life was far more bearable under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Amaechi, who served as a key minister throughout Buhari’s eight-year tenure, made the comments during a political conversation on an X Space programme titled Weekend Politics on Saturday. The discussion touched on Nigeria’s economy, governance, and the rising hardship faced by citizens.
According to the former minister, the cost of living and operational expenses have soared under Tinubu’s leadership, making survival extremely difficult for both households and businesses.
“Buhari’s government is 100 times better than Tinubu’s government. For Christ’s sake, were you dying of hunger back then? What we pay here is N1 million every week for electricity—that’s N4 million in a month. How many Nigerians can afford that? And that’s not all; we also spend about N300,000 on diesel, not to mention food, and salaries for staff,” Amaechi lamented.
He contrasted the present economic reality with what he described as a more manageable situation during Buhari’s time in office, stressing that the current administration does not measure up in quality or performance.
“It was not like that when Buhari was in power. Why are we comparing diamond to gold? In fact, this government is not even gold at all,” he asserted.
Amaechi also criticized the country’s electoral system, describing Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the worst chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria’s history.
“The worst INEC chairman in the history of Nigeria is Mahmood Yakubu,” he said bluntly. In a challenge to the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, he urged him to take a walk along the streets of Port Harcourt to witness firsthand the wellbeing and sentiments of the people, emphasizing that the streets would reveal who the populace truly supports.
Amaechi’s remarks come after his high-profile defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The move saw him align himself with other influential opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Political analysts view this coalition as part of a larger strategy to mount a formidable challenge to the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi also outlined his vision should he have the opportunity to lead the country, identifying electoral reform as his top priority during his first six months in office. He argued that a credible electoral system is the foundation for good governance and national progress.
Additionally, he strongly criticised ongoing high-cost infrastructure projects, particularly the controversial coastal road project, which he claimed was riddled with corruption.
With these statements, Amaechi has positioned himself as one of the most vocal critics of Tinubu’s administration, signalling a possible intensification of political battles ahead of the 2027 elections. His comments are likely to spark debates within political circles, particularly given his role as a close ally of Buhari and a former senior member of the APC.