According to a report by Punch on Thursday, May 14, 2026, former Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Rotimi Amaechi, has pledged to transform Nigeria within four years if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Amaechi made the statement shortly after submitting his nomination forms at the national headquarters of the African Democratic Congress in Abuja, where he formally indicated interest in contesting the party’s presidential ticket.
During the event, Amaechi also criticised the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, linking it to the worsening economic conditions experienced across the country.
He stated that many Nigerians are facing increased hardship due to economic policies that have affected prices of goods, transportation costs, and general living standards.
He maintained that leadership decisions taken at the federal level have had direct consequences on households across different regions of the country.
Amaechi further stated that the 2027 presidential election should not be based on ethnic or regional considerations but should instead focus on competence, experience, and measurable performance.
He argued that Nigeria requires leadership that can address economic challenges and improve governance systems.
According to him, voters should evaluate candidates based on their records in public service rather than political sentiments or affiliations.
The former minister highlighted his long history in public service as part of his qualification for the presidential race.
He served as Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, during which time he was involved in state-level governance, infrastructure development, and political administration.
He also played a significant role in national politics as one of the key figures in the formation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and later served as Director-General of the campaign council that supported the election of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Between 2015 and 2023, Amaechi served as Minister of Transportation, where he supervised major national railway projects.
These included the Abuja–Kaduna rail line and the Lagos–Ibadan rail line, which were part of federal infrastructure expansion efforts during that period.
While the projects were widely recognized as significant developments in the transport sector, they also attracted public debate over the financing methods used, including concerns raised about the level of borrowing linked to infrastructure development.
Speaking further on the current state of the country, Amaechi expressed concern over rising living costs and economic hardship affecting Nigerians.
He stated that the situation is not limited to any particular group and cuts across religion, ethnicity, and political affiliation.
He explained that many citizens are experiencing similar economic pressure regardless of their background, pointing to inflation and cost-of-living challenges as major issues affecting daily life.
He said, “I’m going for primary. If the consensus is me, fine. But if it’s not me, I’m going for primary.”….Read_More…