Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, contrasting it sharply with that of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Amaechi, the Buhari-led government, despite its flaws, was more committed to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians than the current regime.
Amaechi made the remarks during a televised interview aired on Channels Television from 0:03 on July 3, 2025, where he also addressed governance in Rivers State and issues of national insecurity.
“Who is Wike? Who is Fubara? They are not my age mates. I’m older. I was governor before them,” Amaechi said while dismissing the political clout of current Rivers leaders.
He went further to defend his integrity while in office: “I hardly stole any money. I didn’t steal any money from government. I don’t have houses the way they have houses. I don’t take civil servants’ quarters. I don’t drive Rolls Royce, even though John Abata gave me one in 2014. Till today, I have not driven it. In fact, it’s gone so bad, I think they can sell it if they see a buyer.”
Shifting focus to national concerns, Amaechi berated the current administration’s handling of security and economic issues.
“We’re talking about hunger. We’re talking about Nigerians that are dying—200% dying,” he said. “We’re talking about the killings in Benue, the killings even in Port Harcourt, the killings in Sokoto, the killings in Borno. We’re talking about the fact that you can’t drive at night. You’re scared,” he added.
Amaechi recounted a recent experience to illustrate the deteriorating security in the capital city: “I got somebody who came to visit me the other day… They came, pointed a gun at him, took his wristwatches, his phone, everything.”
When asked if the incident happened in Abuja, he confirmed: “Who say? He’s a medical doctor. He came visiting… I said, can I offer you accommodation? He said, oh, no, I already got an accommodation. I said, okay, so let’s see tomorrow.”
