Former Minister of Transportation and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a roasting attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his administration as “a total failure” and insisting that the president “lacks the capacity to govern Nigeria.”
Amaechi made the remarks during a no-holds-barred interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, on Tuesday, where he addressed his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the federal government’s controversial tax reforms, the role of security agencies, electoral reforms, the 2027 presidential race, and his record in public service.
Explaining his exit from the ruling APC after the party’s 2023 presidential primaries, Amaechi said his decision was rooted in principle, not personal grievance.
“The truth is simple. I did not agree with the choice of presidential candidate. I did not believe he had the capacity to govern Nigeria. And I still do not believe so. What is happening today has only confirmed my position,” Amaechi said.
He added: “If I believe that someone lacks capacity, how then do I remain in the same party supporting that leadership? That would make me dishonest. I had worked closely with him, so I knew exactly what I was talking about. Nigerians may not have had the opportunity to work with him closely, but I did. That experience shaped my judgment.”
The former Rivers State governor stressed that staying in the APC after Tinubu’s emergence as candidate would have contradicted his convictions.
Tinubu’s Government Has Failed Nigerians
Amaechi delivered one of his harshest verdicts when asked to assess the Tinubu administration.
“It is a total failure. A total failure. He lacks capacity,” he declared.
He accused the government of abandoning democratic ideals, drifting towards authoritarianism, and deploying state institutions to suppress dissent.
“Tinubu preached democracy, but today, what we are seeing is autocracy. Security agencies are being used to intimidate critics and opposition figures,” he said.
Tax Reforms: Nigerians Are in Trouble
A significant portion of the interview focused on the federal government’s tax reforms, which Amaechi described as “harsh, oppressive, and dangerous for ordinary Nigerians.”
He warned that the expanded tax net, VAT policies, enforcement powers, and penalty regimes would worsen poverty and economic hardship.
“They say people earning below ₦800,000 annually will not pay tax, but when you calculate the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 multiplied by 12 months, you get ₦840,000. That means almost every Nigerian worker will pay tax. Have you seen their deception?”
Amaechi further cited provisions of the new tax laws, alleging they grant excessive powers to tax authorities.
“Section 35 of the National Tax Administration Act makes you guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Section 61 allows them to seize and sell your assets within 14 days. Section 60 compels banks to hand over your money without court approval. Section 62 allows them to enter your premises by force. Nigerians should ask questions now or they will regret it.”
He warned that the full impact of the reforms would only become visible after elections.
“All these temporary reliefs are election strategies. After elections, Nigerians will feel the real burden,” he said.
On Security Agencies and El-Rufai’s Invitation
Reacting to the recent invitation of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai by security agencies, Amaechi alleged widespread surveillance and intimidation of political actors.
“The NSA listens to everybody. They monitor who you meet, where you go. They are arresting Muslims, Christians, opposition figures. That is not democracy,” he said.
He dismissed claims that El-Rufai wiretapped government officials but insisted that political repression was becoming systemic.
Amaechi also leveled serious allegations against the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, claiming that he is orchestrating a plan to manipulate the 2027 general elections. He accused Ribadu of preparing for dual elections, one ostensibly for President Tinubu and another targeting his own political opponents, including members of the African Democratic Congress, through a “fake ADC” setup designed to confuse voters and undermine genuine opposition.
“Everywhere you go, they monitor who you see. The NSA is busy arresting everybody. They’re arresting Muslims, Christians. He’s stopping them. He’s planning a double election. He’s planning an election for himself in 2031.And he’s planning an election for Tinubu in 2027. And all he’s doing is, first, he’s setting up parties up and down. He’s fighting the ADC.” Amaechi said.
Electoral Reforms and Real-Time Results
On the controversy surrounding the proposed removal of real-time transmission of election results, Amaechi accused the APC-led Senate of deliberately undermining transparency.
“The only reason they are fighting real-time transmission is because they are afraid of losing elections. If you want transparent elections, fund the technology. Buy Starlink. Provide infrastructure. They are looking for excuses,” he stated.
2027 Presidency: I Will Get ADC Ticket
Amaechi confirmed his interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election on the ADC platform, expressing confidence in securing the party’s ticket.
“If I lose, I will remain in ADC. But I believe I will get the ticket. I am the most experienced among all aspirants,” he said.
He cited his extensive political résumé as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Minister of Transportation, and opposition campaign strategist.
He outlined his political résumé:
“I was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Director-General of the Buhari Campaign, Minister of Transportation, and I led the opposition that defeated an incumbent president. That institutional knowledge matters.”
“I am the first Nigerian to lead an opposition that defeated a sitting president. That experience is critical. Don’t give assignments that age will not allow people to do. Nigeria needs energy, capacity, and experience,” he said.
Rivers Politics: I Won’t Interfere
On the political crisis in Rivers State, Amaechi declined to intervene.
“They are my former subordinates. I don’t interfere in their affairs. Let them handle it,” he said.
Callers React: Mixed Views
Listeners who called into the programme expressed mixed reactions.
One caller, Banjo Saheed from Ijebu-Igbo, asked Amaechi to outline his achievements as Minister of Transportation.
Responding, Amaechi listed major infrastructure projects executed under his leadership.
“I initiated and completed the Lekki Deep Sea Port. I completed the Lagos-Ibadan railway, the Abuja-Kaduna railway, commenced the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail, and revived the Nigerian Ports Authority into a revenue-generating agency. When I arrived, they paid zero naira to government. When I left, they paid over ₦100 billion.”
Another caller praised Amaechi’s criticism of Tinubu, citing insecurity, power failure, and economic hardship as proof of administrative failure.
What ADC Offers Nigerians
On the ideological direction of the ADC, Amaechi said the party stands for responsible governance and anti-corruption.
“Some of Tinubu’s reforms are inevitable. But the difference is that under ADC, the money saved will not be stolen. It will be reinvested to cushion the people. Today, the money is being stolen in droves, while opposition figures are being harassed,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Amaechi urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to governance and political accountability.
“Nigeria is at a dangerous crossroads. Silence today will become suffering tomorrow. Citizens must speak, demand accountability, and reject authoritarian governance.”
