A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says while former President Muhammadu Buhari did not achieve all his goals, he still performed better than the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amaechi, also a former two-term Governor of Rivers State, made the remarks on Thursday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s prime programme Politics Today.

“Not everything was achieved. Buhari will tell you that he did not achieve all that he planned for. But then, he was better than the current government by all standards,” he said.

He highlighted security and institutional independence as areas where Buhari out-performed Tinubu.

“In terms of security, Buhari focused on it. In transportation, I’m open to a new challenge. Again, the independence of INEC was higher in Buhari’s government than now.

“Now, they can’t even register a party because government officials are telling them not to. Those who applied to INEC for registration — their rents have expired,” he said.

He also clarified that his criticism of President Tinubu is not personal, adding that he would have been the first to sing the President’s praises if he believed the administration was performing well.

“If Tinubu was doing well, I’d be the first to sing his praises. I feel ashamed for a President commissioning 16 kilometres of road, that’s what a local government chairman should be doing,” he stated.

The ex-minister accused the Tinubu administration of mishandling the economy, insisting it has worsened poverty across the country.

“The current government has completely buried the economy. Any economy that does not put money in the pockets of individuals in Nigeria is not an economic policy.

“You’re making savings from removing subsidy, from floating the naira — where is the money? Where is it going?”

According to him, Nigeria’s socio-economic structure has collapsed into just two classes — the elite and the poor.

“We have a situation where only members of this government are in the rich class. The middle class has vanished, and the poor are increasing. At this rate, a time will come when we won’t even see the poor anymore — they’ll have all died.”

The former Rivers State governor said his record in office remains untainted, adding that he never stole from the public purse. He also dismissed claims that his current stance is motivated by not receiving an appointment from Tinubu.

“I never stole anything in politics. I don’t drive a Rolls-Royce. I’m not in opposition because Tinubu didn’t give me an appointment. I’m not interested in any appointment.

“If there’s anyone who says Amaechi deceived them, let them come forward. If there was corruption in my tenure, let them come forward. I’m waiting,” he said.

In 2022, Amaechi formally declared his intention to contest for the presidency under the APC.

Speaking on his ability to lead Nigeria, Amaechi, who is part of the ongoing coalition talks, declared that he has what it takes to deliver results where the current government is failing.

“Of course, can I lead Nigeria? Yes. I have led as a Speaker, and I was one of the best Speakers in this country,” he said.

“Nigerians would not have been this hungry if I had become President. There is absolutely no way we would have this level of insecurity under me.”

He promised to be transparent about his credentials and fitness to lead, saying, “In the next three weeks, I’ll publish my health details, age, birth certificate, and school certificate. I’ll reassure Nigerians that I won’t be going to hospitals if I am made president.”

On party politics, he lauded the efforts of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he’s a notable figure in a new coalition gearing up for the 2027 elections.

“Once the people want their power, they can restore it. That’s what the ADC is doing — trying to end political apathy and return power to the people,”Amaechi said.

He added that the leadership of ADC will ultimately determine the fate of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), being considered as a merger platform.

Amaechi stressed that the goal of the opposition coalition is not just about elections, but the future of the country.

“The coalition’s ultimate goal is to see a better Nigeria. If I become President, I’ll accept a one-term tenure if that’s what it takes to fix the country,” he said.

When asked about Nigeria’s political future, Amaechi made a call for reform
“We need to remove politicians — including myself, if necessary. What Nigeria needs is a people’s government. And in that government, we can look at politicians who are qualified to actually listen to the people.”

Weighing in on the electoral body, he accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of enabling the ruling APC by deliberately closing the political space.