Amaechi clarifies political meeting rumors, calls for national unity, media accountability, and urges Nigerians to uphold election fairness and good governance.

Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has addressed ongoing speculation surrounding his meeting with American officials alongside opposition figures during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure.

He emphasized that the meeting was strictly about ensuring election fairness and not to influence political outcomes.

“There have been rumors about clandestine meetings in America, but no such meeting took place. We were invited only to discuss the need for peaceful elections,” Amaechi clarified at the National Conference of Editors in Abuja.

Amaechi also spoke on the evolving role of the media in Nigeria, contrasting journalists during military rule with those in the current democratic era. He noted that many journalists appear reluctant to challenge poor governance today.

“I asked my editor friends if they were the same ones who fought alongside us against past regimes. They confirmed, but there’s a clear difference now. The pot has grown, opportunities expanded, and ethnicity has influenced politics and journalism,” he explained.

The former governor emphasized the need for Nigerians to prioritize national interest over regional loyalties.

“Nigerians don’t hate bad governance; their perception depends on where the leader comes from. A president from your region may seem effective, while one from another area is criticized.

“We must collectively demand accountability and remove ineffective governments through legitimate elections,” Amaechi said.

Addressing national security and economic issues, Amaechi linked poverty and lack of opportunity to rising insecurity.

He warned, “If citizens are denied legitimate means of livelihood, they will inevitably turn to illegitimate alternatives. True security depends on economic inclusion and creating opportunities for survival.”

He further stressed that Nigeria must be a country where citizens can live and thrive in any region. “We will truly become a nation when I can go to Lagos or Port Harcourt and feel safe and respected,” he added.

On media accountability, Amaechi called for journalists to rise above ethnic loyalty and prioritize public interest.

“Silence in the face of ineffective governance undermines democracy. Journalists must act as watchdogs, ensuring that leaders remain accountable and that citizens’ rights are protected,” he noted.

Amaechi concluded by urging Nigerians to uphold democratic principles, remove ineffective governments through legitimate means, and ensure that governance serves the people.

He warned that unity, economic inclusion, and vigilance are essential to national survival and progress.

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