Rotimi Amaechi, vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has pledged to step down from office if Nigeria fails to show significant improvement within a year of his party taking power in 2027.
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Amaechi made the declaration during an interview on AIT’s “Democracy Today” on Wednesday, outlining security, education, and the economy as the top priorities of a potential ADC administration. He argued that tackling corruption would be central to resolving the country’s challenges, accusing public officials of diverting funds meant for critical sectors into private pockets.
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“We must deal with three things. We must deal with security; we must deal with education; we must deal with the economy. And to do all that, corruption will have to come down because there’s no money for anybody to steal,” he said.
Amaechi also took aim at President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that ordinary Nigerians have seen little benefit from the policy. “President Tinubu remove subsidy, what are the benefits of subsidy? Subsidy money is in private pockets and they are celebrating,” he said.
He further voiced concern over what he described as the stark contrast between widespread poverty and the lavish parties he says he frequently encounters around the country, admitting that he sometimes leaves such events early simply because he questions where the money funding them is coming from. “I sit down and ask myself, where are these people getting this money from, going by how high poverty is in Nigeria?” he said.
Turning to the broader economy, Amaechi claimed that Nigeria now imports more than 46% of its finished goods, describing heavy reliance on imported products as a sign of deep economic trouble. “Who are those importing? Nigeria is in trouble,” he said.
References backlash against Tinubu
Amaechi also referenced recent reports of Nigerians booing President Tinubu upon his arrival at Lagos International Airport, arguing that an ADC administration would change public sentiment toward the country’s leadership. “I watched people hoot at Tinubu from the Lagos International Airport to his house. If we become President, nobody will do that, they will be clapping for us because we will change Nigeria,” he said.
Pledge follows rival Wike’s comments
Amaechi’s one-year pledge comes shortly after his political rival, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, suggested that President Tinubu should remove him from office if he fails to deliver the Federal Capital Territory for the President in the 2027 election. Responding in kind, Amaechi said he was prepared to put his own position on the line based on the performance of an ADC government. “This time, I will say it. If Nigeria does not begin to change one year after we’ve come to office, come to me, I will resign,” he said.
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