Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a scathing criticism of President Bola Tinubu, saying the president has “no right to speak” because his administration has failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Amaechi made the remarks on Friday during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, where he also expressed confidence in his ability to fix Nigeria’s challenges ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the worsening economic situation in the country reflects poor leadership and unmet campaign promises.
“For Christ’s sake, President Tinubu does not have the right to speak, he doesn’t. He promised power and said if he doesn’t give power, they should not vote for him. Nigerians are waiting to vote him out,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor insisted that he was not distracted by other political contenders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, saying his focus was on presenting himself as a capable alternative for Nigerians.
“I don’t care who else is running. I’m running because I’m a Nigerian candidate. Because I know the Nigerian problem. And I can solve the Nigerian problem,” he said.
Amaechi said his experience in public office, particularly in delivering rail infrastructure and overseeing port reforms as Minister of Transportation, positioned him to tackle Nigeria’s broader developmental challenges.
He also claimed that his time in government included efforts to address insecurity, arguing that his record distinguishes him from other aspirants in the 2027 race.
The former minister, who is a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said Nigerians were currently facing severe hardship due to rising costs of living.
He described the situation as one in which citizens were struggling to afford fuel, transportation, and basic needs, adding that the economic pressure was worsening daily.
“Everybody is suffering, everybody is looking for food to eat. People can’t buy fuel, can’t travel. The airlines are threatening to increase the cost of transportation; everything is skyrocketing,” he said.
Amaechi also alleged that there were attempts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, calling for independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to ensure credible polls.
He warned that suppressing strong opposition voices would undermine democracy and electoral fairness.
Amaechi is among several prominent political figures already positioning for the 2027 presidential election under an opposition coalition that includes Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential election, while party primaries are scheduled to hold between April 23 and
