The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, for allegedly inciting public unrest over Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
In an interview with ABN TV, Amaechi expressed disappointment with Nigerians, particularly the youth, for their restrained response to rising living costs and economic hardship, stating he had expected more visible protests.
However, the APC called his remarks “irresponsible and unpatriotic,” noting that such comments should not come from someone who has held high-ranking government roles for over two decades.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said in a statement on Friday that Amaechi’s comments seek to exploit the economic discomfort resulting from necessary reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Morka accused Amaechi of hypocrisy, emphasizing that he has long been part of Nigeria’s governance, contributing to the country’s current challenges. "Amaechi’s comments are inflammatory, playing a dangerous game of incitement that aims to stoke public unrest rather than promote unity,” Morka stated.
He further defended the administration’s economic policies, which he claimed are already yielding positive results, and called on Nigerians to remain patient as the government stabilizes the economy. Morka suggested that Amaechi’s criticism, along with that of opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stems more from frustration at being out of power than genuine concern for citizens’ welfare.
The statement read, “The only real grievance Amaechi and his like-minded opposition have is that they’re not in power—a decision made by Nigeria’s ultimate political authority, the electorate.”
The APC also questioned Amaechi’s financial prudence, pointing out that if he genuinely believed government officials “steal money” as he alleged, then it is ironic that he reportedly struggles to “buy diesel” only two years after serving in office for over 24 years.
Additionally, the APC criticized Amaechi for not addressing the ongoing crisis between Rivers State’s current governor, Sim Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. “One would expect Amaechi to focus on resolving crises in Rivers State, a state he once governed, rather than stoking national discord,” the statement added.
The party urged Nigerians not to be swayed by what it described as "politically motivated calls to anarchy" from opposition leaders. “We ask Nigerians to reject calls for protests aimed at destabilizing the country and instead continue to support President Tinubu’s transformative efforts to rebuild Nigeria’s economy,” the party stated.
