Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he is confident in his ability to address Nigeria’s challenges, declaring that his experience in governance and infrastructure development prepares him for the 2027 presidential election.
Amaechi stated this on Friday during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, where he downplayed the influence of other presidential hopefuls, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
“I don’t care who else is running. I’m running because I’m a Nigerian candidate. Because I know the Nigerian problem. And I can solve the Nigerian problem,” he said.
He said his public service record, especially in transportation infrastructure such as rail projects and port reforms, demonstrates his capacity to handle national responsibilities effectively.
The former Rivers State governor also claimed that his time in government included interventions aimed at improving security, insisting that his track record sets him apart from other aspirants.
Amaechi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), used the interview to criticise the current economic situation under President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigerians were experiencing worsening hardship.
He said rising prices of fuel, transport, and food were placing heavy pressure on citizens, adding that the situation had left many households struggling.
“Everybody is suffering, everybody is looking for food to eat. People can’t buy fuel, can’t travel. The airlines are threatening to increase the cost of transportation; everything is skyrocketing,” he said.
Amaechi further accused the administration of failing to meet expectations, arguing that public dissatisfaction was growing across the country.
“For Christ’s sake, President Tinubu does not have the right to speak, he doesn’t. He promised power and said if he doesn’t give power, they should not vote for him. Nigerians are waiting to vote him out,” he added.
He also alleged that there were efforts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, calling for stronger independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
Amaechi warned that limiting strong opposition voices could undermine democratic competition.
He is among several prominent politicians already positioning for the 2027 presidential contest under an emerging opposition coalition that includes Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential election for January 16, 2027, while party primaries are expected to hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
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