In a candid reflection on his political journey, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has attributed his prolonged involvement in Nigerian politics to the challenges posed by poverty. Speaking at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, Amaechi remarked that financial hardship has kept him in the political system since he left university in 1987.
“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 said.
Amaechi, who has had a remarkable political career spanning decades, served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007 before becoming the Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015. He later served as Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2022, where he played a key role in national infrastructure development and the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During his speech, Amaechi highlighted the harsh realities of Nigerian politics, stating, “The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, maim, and kill to remain in power.” He emphasized that power is not something easily relinquished, adding, “Nobody has power and will give it to you—not even me.”
He also expressed concern about the inability of Nigerians to defend their votes, saying, “None of you here seated can defend the votes. If you have complained, complain, Nigerians have been clapping for you.”
Drawing examples from history, he referenced the emergence of former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and the electoral system in Ghana. “The only way Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was because people lined up. It happened in Ghana before the election of the last president. Two days, a lot of us were called to intervene. But why did they do that? The people were ready to die.”
Amaechi took pride in his significant contributions to Nigerian politics, particularly in the formation of the APC and the 2015 general elections that led to the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He asserted, “You can’t wish me away in the formation of APC; you certainly can wish me away. You can’t wish me away in how APC won the election, you can’t.”
He recalled the risks he and his colleagues took in opposing the PDP-led government, saying, “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.”
Beyond his personal experiences, Amaechi has often spoken about poverty as a major factor shaping Nigerian politics. He previously stated, “I did not come from a privileged background. I grew up poor. I understand how it feels to go without some meals in a day.” His journey from humble beginnings to top political positions underscores the reality that many Nigerian politicians enter politics as a means of survival rather than service. He has urged the government to shift policies towards addressing rural poverty, stating, “We must free our policies from an urban-based focus. The poorest urban Nigerian is many times better off than the most well-off rural Nigerian.
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