Amaechi: Nigerian Politicians Only Out to Steal, Kill, Retain Power

A former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, sparked controversy at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria earlier this week with bold claims about the nature of Nigerian politics. Speaking candidly on the challenges to good governance, Amaechi declared that politicians in Nigeria are largely motivated by the desire to “steal, maim, kill, and remain in power.”

During his address, Amaechi questioned the integrity of the political system, accusing both politicians and citizens of complacency. “All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with anything. They get away with murder because you have a short memory. None of you here can defend the votes. You have complained; Nigerians have been clapping for you,” he said, stressing the ease with which politicians evade accountability.

Amaechi, who has played a key role in Nigerian politics for decades, directly referenced President Bola Tinubu, insinuating that the current political climate would not change under his leadership. He also pointed to the tendency of Nigerians to forget historical lessons, suggesting that the cycle of corruption and power retention would continue.

“Before the election of the last president, a lot of us were called to intervene. Why did they do that? The people were ready to die. You’re talking and abusing everybody; nobody has power and will give to you. Not even me. If you want a pastor as president, go and get one,” he said, underlining the grim reality of Nigerian politics.

Reflecting on his own journey, Amaechi said his involvement in politics had been driven by poverty and necessity. “Unfortunately for me, poverty has made me part of the political system since I left university in 1987, and I’ve been part of the process till today,” he remarked.

Despite the criticisms, Amaechi emphasized his pivotal role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that his influence was instrumental in securing the party’s success at the polls. “You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you certainly can’t. You can’t wish me away in how APC won the election; you can’t,” he asserted, recalling how he and others stood by then-President Goodluck Jonathan in their fight for power.

Amaechi also discussed the transactional nature of Nigerian political rallies, recounting a story where he was told that attendees were paid to show up at an event. “Someone said to me, if tomorrow Tinubu comes with the same transport money, they will also come,” he revealed. He further shared an anecdote from an APC demonstration at Eagles Square in Abuja, where he witnessed women, initially brought in with money, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “Jonathan for President.”

In a rare moment of solidarity, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shared his own experience with political rallies, echoing Amaechi’s sentiment about the transactional aspect of such events. “Let me intervene here… because when Odili was in office as a governor, we went on a rally, and the entire stadium was filled to capacity, but before we could finish the rally, everybody had left. We were left alone, and then I asked what happened; he said they paid for only two hours,” Atiku said, further illustrating the systemic nature of Nigeria’s political machinery.