2027: Tinubu Won’t Hand Over Power, Be Ready to Fight for It – Amaechi Warns Nigerians

Former minister Rotimi Amaechi tells Nigerians that President Tinubu won’t willingly relinquish power in 2027, urging them to be prepared to fight for it. 

Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, has stated that politicians in Nigeria frequently resort to extreme tactics to secure election victories.

Amaechi made this statement in Abuja during a national conference focused on bolstering democracy in Nigeria, organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

The ex-governor of Rivers State emphasized the importance of political vigilance, cautioning that power must be actively contested. He urged Nigerians to consistently protect their votes in order to attain a semblance of legitimate leadership.

None of you present can justify the votes. If you’ve voiced concerns, do so again; Nigerians have been supporting your stance. The only reason Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was through people actively casting their ballots in lines.

“Before the election of the last president in Ghana, an incident occurred. Two days prior, many of us were summoned to step in. But why did this happen? The people were prepared to sacrifice everything.”

You are talking and criticizing everyone. No one has the power to hand it over to you—not even myself. If you’re looking for a pastor as president, then go find one.

“The politician is only in Nigeria to exploit and harm, maintaining power at any cost. Believing Tinubu will hand it over is futile,” he remarked.

The presidential hopeful from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election shared his experience during the days leading up to the 2015 presidential race, when a newly established APC triumphed over the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He credited the success of the APC to its leaders’ determination and readiness to go above and beyond.

He stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat only after recognizing that the APC was entirely prepared to defend its mandate. He urged citizens to adopt similar approaches in future elections.

recalls that in October 2024, Amaechi expressed his disappointment with Nigerians for their relaxed attitude towards the ongoing economic difficulties.

In response, the ruling APC criticized Amaechi, accusing him of being among those responsible for harming Nigeria.

Amaechi was among the 14 candidates who vied for the APC’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election.

He finished in second place in the primary election with 316 votes, trailing behind the eventual winner Tinubu, who gathered 1,271 votes.