Amaechi Blames Opposition Weakness for Nigeria’s Electoral Challenges, Says Tinubu Not Invincible

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has faulted Nigeria’s opposition parties for the country’s persistent electoral difficulties, arguing that their internal weaknesses, rather than the strength of the ruling government, remain the major obstacle to political change.

Amaechi made the remarks while speaking at a public lecture, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s political dominance should not be overstated.

According to him, the real challenge lies in the inability of opposition forces to unite and present a credible alternative to the All Progressives Congress.

“Tinubu isn’t invincible; the opposition is the problem. I don’t see him as invincible, The problem is the opposition,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor noted that opposition parties have become preoccupied with power calculations driven by ethnic and regional interests instead of developing policies capable of addressing the nation’s governance problems.

“I tell the opposition party that you’re the problem. Nobody’s saying, ‘Oh, things are bad. How do we change the candidate? Do you want to do one term or not one term?’ That’s all. Nothing else is discussed,” Amaechi stated.

“So, while the elites are busy discussing how to get to power, the voters, the citizens, are helping the elites to achieve that objective,” he added.

His comments come at a time when major opposition parties are battling internal disputes that have weakened their organisational structures. Several opposition leaders have alleged that the ruling APC has encouraged defections to destabilise them ahead of the 2027 elections, but Amaechi dismissed the claims, maintaining that the crisis is self-inflicted.

Amaechi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has emerged as one of the leading figures within the party as it positions itself as a coalition platform for the next general election.

In recent months, prominent politicians including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi have also joined the ADC, with all three expected to seek the party’s presidential ticket.

The ex-minister revealed that he has already begun consultations with political stakeholders on strategies for the 2027 polls.

“If you ask those who meet with me, they will tell you that I have been having meetings and talking to them about the possibility of winning the 2027 election,” he said.

Beyond party politics, Amaechi spoke extensively on Nigeria’s long-running struggle with electoral reform. He expressed doubts that meaningful reforms could ever be achieved under a sitting government, citing his experiences during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The problem with elections in Nigeria is that there is no incumbent government that can achieve electoral reform. None! Buhari tried it and failed. In fact, the National Assembly passed the law and dropped it on his table, and the man held his pen to sign,” he explained.

Amaechi claimed that concerns about external interference were used to frustrate efforts to improve the electoral process.

“I wish I were there. I would have told him that everything has an antidote. So, if there’s a Russia, there’s an America,” he said.

He recounted how amendments to the electoral law proposed in 2019 were eventually abandoned due to political intrigues within Buhari’s circle.

“When they got to the National Assembly, they did not come back. By the time they realised that they had omitted people like us who were automatic delegates by being former speakers, Buhari refused to sign,” Amaechi noted.

“People around him made sure he did not sign it into law and got what they wanted. Now, those same people are back here, shouting electoral reform,” he added.

Drawing from his role as director-general of Buhari’s presidential campaigns, Amaechi argued that citizens have greater power to protect elections than is often acknowledged. He recalled how mass mobilisation in 2015 created pressure that limited attempts at manipulation.

“We made it difficult for any Nigerian governor to go to his state and come out freely. Any day Buhari was coming to any state, the governor was on the run because the madness of the citizens chased them away,” he said.

“If you rig us out, you rig problem. As far as we were concerned, they were going to rig the election, so show them that there will be what? Fire. And the whole world knew there would be fire,” he added.

Amaechi further warned that widespread voter apathy could ultimately work in favour of the incumbent administration.

“Government won’t give you electoral reform. The first solution to electoral reform is the people. Don’t be shouting electoral reform, electoral reform. You are the problem,” he said.

“The more you say they have written the result, the more you have voter apathy. Voter apathy will make Tinubu return to Aso Villa with 30-something per cent,” he cautioned.

Urging Nigerians to focus on leadership competence rather than identity politics, Amaechi stressed that the country must prioritise capable candidates.

“Get the best material that can govern the country. If you say you want a president, make sure the president is qualified. The first qualification is that he must change the country when he becomes president,” he said.

As political realignments continue ahead of 2027, Amaechi’s intervention highlights the deep divisions within the opposition camp and the difficult task of building a united front capable of challenging the ruling party.