Amaechi also alleged that electoral reforms were once stalled after some ministers persuaded Buhari not to sign the bill.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has traced the problems faced by opposition parties in the country ahead of the 2023 general election to their own ‘weakness’, insisting that President Bola Tinubu is not the problem.
He made this known on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at a joint press conference themed: ‘Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy’.
The media parley brought together several prominent leaders of Nigeria’s opposition parties to discuss the challenges they currently face and the way forward.
Speaking at the conference, Amaechi said: “Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change.”
The former Rivers State governor also stressed that opposition parties must clearly distinguish themselves from the ruling government if they hope to earn the trust of Nigerians.
“The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” Amaechi added.
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Recalling his time in government under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi alleged that electoral reforms were once stalled after some ministers persuaded Buhari not to sign the bill.
“When I was in government during Buhari’s time, he wanted electoral reform. A few ministers went to him and convinced him not to sign, saying that if he signed, Russia would hack the system and impose the wrong president on us, and he refused to sign,” he said.
He continued: “The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”
Amaechi went on to argue that President Tinubu’s political strategy thrives on the weakness of his opponents.
“His strategy is simple. He’s trying something today, you are weak. He puts something bigger, you are weaker,” he said.
He also questioned what he described as the President’s boldness in the face of criticism.
“Which president goes to France when you are shouting that he is stealing our money? He still goes there. He will ask, ‘what will you do?’ You can do nothing,” Amaechi said.
According to him, meaningful change will only come when the opposition proves it can act.
“The day you show him you can do something, God will bless you,” he added.
