Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has stirred political discourse with fresh claims about the 2023 presidential election and bold promises ahead of a possible 2027 presidential bid.
Speaking during an X Space discussion over the weekend, Amaechi claimed that Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, actually won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State—contradicting the official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I can agree with you to some extent that Obi won Rivers State. But I don’t know how the results were changed,” Amaechi said during the session.
INEC had announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, now President Bola Tinubu, won Rivers State with 231,591 votes, while the Labour Party polled 175,071. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 88,468 votes.
Amaechi’s remarks come amid ongoing controversy surrounding the credibility of the 2023 polls and the performance of INEC under its current leadership.
He did not stop there.
In a separate conversation on the same platform tagged Weekend Politics, Amaechi revealed key aspects of his political agenda should he contest and win the presidency in 2027.
He vowed to overhaul Nigeria’s constitution and eliminate corruption within 30 days of assuming office—or resign.
“If I become President, I will change the constitution from indigeneship to citizenship,” he said.
“If I do not end corruption in Nigeria within one month, I will tender my resignation.”
Amaechi also launched a scathing attack on INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, calling him “the worst INEC chairman in the history of Nigeria.”
He went on to accuse influential Nigerians of routinely visiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to steal public funds.
“It enrages me that those very influential among the ruling class visit CBN often to steal money. If they could use all the money they are pocketing to improve security and the economy, Nigeria wouldn’t be in such dire straits today.”
On fuel subsidy, the former minister stated unequivocally that he would not reverse its removal if elected President, but would instead ensure that the savings benefit ordinary Nigerians.
“I will not reverse the removal of subsidies. I will instead direct the funds into the pockets of Nigerians, not the elite,” he said.
In a swipe at current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Amaechi challenged him to “take a walk along the streets of Port Harcourt” to test who truly commands the love and loyalty of the people.
With these remarks, Amaechi has positioned himself as a fiery contender in the run-up to 2027, taking aim at both political rivals and institutional failures.
