'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a scathing condemnation of former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of stoking unrest and inciting Nigerians to violence over the nation's economic challenges. In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party described Amaechi’s recent remarks about the high cost of living as reckless, hypocritical, and unpatriotic.
Amaechi, during a recent interview, criticized Nigerian youths for not protesting the economic difficulties in the country, a statement that the APC claims was a veiled attempt to provoke civil disorder. According to Morka, Amaechi’s comments are particularly troubling given his long-standing tenure in public office, spanning over two decades, during which he enjoyed the benefits of state resources as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor, and Minister of Transport.
“Amaechi’s remarks from his proverbial glass house are insensitive and god-awful, especially from someone who has been a voracious beneficiary of official patronage for much of his adult life,” the statement read. The APC went further to label him a “political freeloader” who, along with opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is motivated more by bitterness at being out of power than by genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians.
The party questioned Amaechi’s credibility, noting that his recent complaint about not being able to afford diesel, despite alleging that those in power “steal money,” is contradictory, given his own 24-year career in government. The APC argued that Amaechi’s true frustration stems from being sidelined from power, rather than a genuine desire to see Nigeria improve.
Morka accused Amaechi and his fellow “naysayers” of attempting to capitalize on the economic discomforts that have followed President Bola Tinubu's reform policies, claiming that these discomforts are temporary and necessary for long-term economic growth. “Nigerians are highly perceptive and understand that the current economic pains are transient and part of inevitable reforms that will yield transformative benefits,” the statement emphasized.
The APC further ridiculed Amaechi and other opposition leaders, accusing them of doing little to address the nation’s economic challenges while they were in office, yet now acting as if they have solutions. “It’s as though they only regain their senses and discover their talents for governance when they are out of power,” Morka remarked, describing them as a “tribe of naysayers” who see no good in the efforts of the current administration.
In addition to criticizing Amaechi’s remarks on the national economy, the APC also pointed to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, where Amaechi served as governor for two terms. Instead of offering constructive solutions to the problems in his home state, the APC claims, Amaechi has chosen to focus on inciting discontent at a national level.
The APC urged Nigerians to reject what it termed Amaechi’s “call to anarchy,” stressing that the country’s electorate had made their choice clear by electing Tinubu and his administration. “Nigerians will not be cajoled into taking back through street violence what they handed to the administration through the ballot,” the statement declared.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s economy through bold reforms, and called on citizens to remain patient and supportive as these changes take effect. While acknowledging the current economic discomforts, the APC maintained that the administration’s policies will lead to long-lasting positive change for future generations of Nigerians.
In its strongly-worded statement, the APC positioned itself as the responsible party focused on long-term growth, while painting Amaechi and other opposition leaders as opportunists exploiting the hardships faced by Nigerians for personal political gain. The ruling party called for unity and support for President Tinubu’s administration, reiterating that the current economic reforms, though painful, are essential for the country's transformation.
