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Tinubu’s Govt Worse Than Buhari’s, Says Amaechi
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.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.
In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”
He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.
“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.
Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”
The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.
“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.
The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025.
The development would put to rest months of speculation about where the former Governor of Anambra State would pitch his tent in the coming elections.
Reports claim that Obi would be defecting with serving senators and other lawmakers elected on the platform of the LP, as well as remnants of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East region.
Specifically, Obi would be defecting alongside the Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh; that of Anambra North, Tony Nwoye; Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; PDP chieftain Ben Obi; and members of the Obidient movement in the region.
It is not clear if the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, is part of the planned movement to the ADC.
The governor was recently approached by the PDP to join the party and re-contest his current position in 2027.
Further reports quoted Obi’s spokesperson, Valentine Obienyem, as confirming the planned defection of his boss to the ADC.
“Yes, it is true,” he reportedly said on Sunday.
Senator Umeh said the event would hold in Enugu, adding that it would involve all Obi’s supporters across the South East region.
“They will come from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states to join those in Enugu, where this exercise will hold on 31st December,” he reportedly added.
Sources hinted that Obi, who has not hidden his intention to appear on the ballot in 2027, would contest the presidential ticket of the ADC.
On his part, Chief Chekwas Okorie, reportedly said that the expected formal defection of Obi to the ADC is a healthy development that could reshape the thinking and permutations of the 2027 general elections.
“I imagine that he would be defecting along with most of his associates and followers. I believe that a fortified and strong ADC will add value to the opposition and assuage the general fear of a possible one-party option to Nigerians come 2027. The APC, ADC and possibly the PDP locking horns in the 2027 democratic encounter promises a vibrant and robust electioneering campaign that will provide Nigerians the required options to make informed choices in electing their preferred leaders at all levels. I imagine that the APC leadership will return to the drawing table to map out the strategy to confront the emerging challenge. Nigerians are in interesting times,” Okorie stated.
National President of Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), Rev Okechukwu Obioha, vouched support for Obi to ensure he reaches the pinnacle of his political career. He, however, cautioned that the ADC should not compromise merit and integrity in the choice of its presidential candidate, stressing that Obi remains the “hope for the restoration of the country on the path of greatness.”
