Rotimi Amaechi, vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged Nigerians to reject President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, describing his economic policies as reckless and blaming them for the hardship facing citizens.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday, October 8, during an ADC town hall meeting in Edo State, where he criticised the administration’s handling of the economy, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“I read on social media that it is in 2027 that we will know how many madmen we have in Nigeria. It is only a madman that can vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi said.
“If you are not mad, then Tinubu should not win here.”
The former minister of transportation also questioned the motives of those supporting Tinubu’s re-election, suggesting that some were driven by personal interests rather than concern for the welfare of Nigerians.
Amaechi faulted the president’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, rejecting Tinubu’s description of the policy as an act of courage.
He argued that the decision was reckless, noting that the president had acknowledged receiving advice against removing the subsidy but proceeded with the policy.
“There is a difference between courage and recklessness. Tinubu wasn’t courageous; he was reckless,” Amaechi said.
The ADC chieftain expressed concern over the rising cost of living, saying many Nigerians were struggling to afford basic necessities, including food.
“People are not able to feed. Things are difficult,” he said, blaming the administration’s economic policies for the pressure on households.
Amaechi also criticised Nigeria’s energy sector, arguing that the country had failed to harness its abundant natural resources to drive industrial development and improve the living conditions of its citizens.
He pointed to Nigeria’s crude oil and natural gas reserves, particularly in the South-South region, and questioned why the country had not translated its natural wealth into sustainable economic growth.
According to him, Nigeria needs policies that encourage domestic production and support businesses instead of placing additional financial burdens on consumers and producers.
The former Rivers State governor said Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, would introduce a production subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Amaechi said the proposed policy would support local production and help ease the economic pressure on Nigerians.
His remarks come as political parties and their leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with the economy, rising living costs and the impact of the Tinubu administration’s reforms expected to remain major issues in the political debate.
