Former Minister of Transportation and two-time presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, has officially announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that Nigeria is in a state of complete collapse and urgently needs an overhaul of its governance and political structure.
Amaechi made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the interim executive of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His statements were pointed, emotionally charged, and aimed squarely at both the ruling party and the country’s electoral body.
According to the former Rivers State governor, his resignation from the APC took place on Tuesday night, though he expressed surprise that the party had not already expelled him. He added that he had previously warned APC leaders not to invite him to any of their meetings again.
“You can’t be part of a club where the majority of members are stealing public funds and you remain silent,” Amaechi said, referencing widespread corruption within the APC.
Amaechi did not mince words about Nigeria’s current state. He lamented the severe economic hardship faced by Nigerians, placing the blame squarely on the leadership of the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he accused of collaborating to manipulate future elections.
“Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat, can’t afford basic necessities. There’s no money in circulation. Inflation is suffocating the poor. Everything is gone,” he declared.
Speaking on the broader vision of change, Amaechi emphasized that his decision to leave the APC was not just to oppose the ruling government but to spark a national revival.
He called for the formation of a political movement, not merely a political party, that would be driven by the will of the people and focused on national redemption.
“It’s not about switching parties. It’s about changing Nigeria. What we need is a people-powered movement that can take over governance—not for us, but for the nation,” he said.
When questioned about his position on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Amaechi was blunt in his assessment.
“I’ve never believed Tinubu is suitable to govern this country. The situation has become so dire that people are now wishing Buhari could return,” he said.
He drew comparisons between the economic realities under former President Muhammadu Buhari and those under Tinubu, stating that the naira’s value has deteriorated drastically.
“Under Buhari, the dollar was around ₦460 or ₦500. Today, it’s ₦1,580. That’s more than a 100% decline in value,” he explained.
Addressing suggestions that the forex crisis might be an intentional strategy, Amaechi dismissed such a notion, arguing that any policy that disregards the welfare of the people cannot be justified.
“Whether deliberate or not, any government that implements policies without considering the suffering of its citizens cannot claim to be acting in good faith. Even President Tinubu said he’s not here to make Nigerians happy,” he said pointedly.
On his personal political ambition, Amaechi made it clear that he still has a role to play in Nigeria’s future leadership, though he rejected claims of excessive ambition.
“I have the right to be ambitious. I am not overambitious,” he stated confidently.
Amaechi’s exit from the APC marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s political landscape, as one of the party’s founding members and most prominent figures publicly disassociates himself from its leadership and direction. His call for a new people’s movement could spark a broader realignment ahead of future elections.
