Poverty has made me remain in politics since 1987, says Amaechi

A former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi has disclosed that his involvement in the political system had been shaped by poverty and necessity.

 

Amaechi made this remark at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held earlier this week, aimed at discussing pathways to good governance and political integrity in Nigeria.

 

He declared that Nigerian politicians are in power to steal, kill, and retain power.

 

Amaechi said: “None of you here seated can defend the votes. If you have complained, complain, Nigerians have been clapping for you,” he said.

 

“The only way Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was because people lined up.

 

“It happened in Ghana before the election of the last president. In two days, a lot of us were called to intervene. But why did they do that? The people were ready to die.

 

“You are talking and abusing everybody. Nobody has power and will give it to you — not even me. If you want a pastor as president, go and get one.

 

“The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, maim, and kill to remain in power. If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you are wasting your time.

 

“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 noted.

 

Amaechi added that his years in the political arena, particularly the All Progressives Congress, have made him a key figure that cannot be “wished away.

 

“You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you certainly can’t wish me away. You can’t wish me away in 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. When they saw that we were ready to die, they gave up power,” he said.

 

—TheNation

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