Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that Nigerian politicians are in office to “steal, maim, kill, and remain in power,” lamenting the entrenched corruption in the country’s political system.
Amaechi made the assertion while speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, where he criticised the lack of accountability among politicians and the public’s short memory.
“All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with anything,” he stated. “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.”
The former governor of Rivers State stressed that the current political climate would not change, pointing to President Bola Tinubu’s administration and warning Nigerians against expecting reforms.
“The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, to maim, to kill, and to remain in power,” he declared.
‘I Joined Politics Because of Poverty’
Reflecting on his own political journey, Amaechi revealed that he ventured into politics out of necessity.
“I graduated in 1987, and I joined politics because of poverty,” he admitted.
He also recounted his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its victory over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election. He insisted that his contributions were critical to the APC’s success, particularly in defeating former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you certainly can’t wish me away. You can’t wish me away on how APC won election, you can’t. But the truth is that if some of us did not stick out our necks to say PDP, Goodluck, we want to die with you,” he said.
‘Political Rallies Are Staged With Money’
Amaechi further exposed how political rallies are often manipulated with financial incentives.
He recalled an APC rally where he saw attendees wearing “Jonathan for President” shirts, despite the event being for a different cause.
According to him, someone once told him at a Lagos rally that the crowd present were paid to attend. “If tomorrow Tinubu comes with the same transport money, they will also come,” he quoted the person as saying.
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