ADC Ticket: What I’ll do as President — Amaechi
Amaechi Calls for New Political Direction as He Prepares for Presidential Bid
By Juliet Umeh
Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, who previously served as the governor of Rivers State, has emphasized the need for a renewed political direction in Nigeria. He advocates for a focus on poverty reduction, job creation, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law as he increases his consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a televised interview on Arise Television, Amaechi urged Nigerians to evaluate political leaders based on their performance and track records, rather than ethnic or regional affiliations. He characterized the upcoming election as a “referendum” on candidates seeking office.
“I have been governor, minister, speaker, and chairman of the Governors’ Forum. Nigerians have the right to assess me based on my performance,” he said.
Having played a significant role in the coalition that brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in 2015, Amaechi acknowledged some achievements during the Buhari administration but also noted unmet expectations. “In some areas, we succeeded; in some, we failed the country. But compared to what Nigerians are facing today, the situation is much worse,” he stated.
Amaechi attributed rising insecurity to escalating poverty, unemployment, and economic challenges. He highlighted that many young people resort to crime due to a lack of opportunities. “Nobody is born a terrorist. Circumstances and environment force people into crime. The solution is to create jobs and provide alternatives to criminality,” he remarked.
To combat these issues, Amaechi proposed large-scale social housing and mechanized agriculture as strategies to stimulate employment and enhance security if elected president. He cited the potential for job creation in construction projects, noting the impact of building 300,000 houses in Kano on local employment.
He also raised concerns about the management of funds saved from fuel subsidy removal, alleging that ordinary Nigerians are yet to feel the benefits. “As good as the subsidy removal policy may be, the money is not reaching ordinary Nigerians. Hunger is increasing across the country,” he asserted.
Reflecting on his time as governor, Amaechi recounted significant investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. His administration built modern primary schools throughout the state, reduced class sizes from approximately 150 to 25 pupils, and implemented digital learning tools.
“We built primary schools in every village. We established healthcare centers across communities and expanded power generation capacity,” he expressed.
Amaechi affirmed his commitment to support whoever secures the ADC presidential nomination, provided the selection process is transparent and credible. He encouraged Nigerians to protect their votes during elections and resist fraud.
“Vote for me because I will reduce poverty and reduce crime. I have done it before in Rivers State, and I can do it again for Nigeria,” he concluded.
