Former Rivers State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, describing them as reckless and urging Nigerians to reject him in the 2027 presidential election. Amaechi made the remarks at an ADC town hall meeting in Edo State, where he criticized the Tinubu administration over the removal of the petrol subsidy, rising living costs, and the failure to properly utilize Nigeria's natural resources.
Amaechi accused supporters of the President of backing his administration mainly because of personal interests, while ordinary Nigerians continue to face economic difficulties. He particularly criticized the removal of the petrol subsidy, rejecting Tinubu's description of the decision as an act of courage. According to Amaechi, there was a distinction between taking a difficult decision and implementing what he described as a reckless policy without adequate consideration of its consequences on Nigerians.
The former Minister of Transportation said Nigerians would have to decide whether to retain Tinubu based on the effect of his policies on their lives, arguing that the current economic situation had made it increasingly difficult for many families to afford basic necessities. Amaechi cited the sharp increase in petrol prices and transportation costs, which had extended to food and other essential commodities, as evidence of the policy's negative impact.
Amaechi also criticized the state of Nigeria's energy sector, arguing that the country had failed to turn its abundant natural resources into sustainable economic prosperity. He pointed to Nigeria's large crude oil and natural gas reserves, particularly in the South-South region, and questioned why the country had continued to struggle economically despite its natural wealth.
The ADC candidate proposed an alternative economic policy, which he described as a "production subsidy" aimed at strengthening local production and easing the economic pressure on Nigerians. According to Amaechi, this policy would encourage domestic production, strengthen businesses, and reduce the burden on consumers instead of increasing the cost of living.
Amaechi's criticism of Tinubu's economic policies comes days after he linked the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi, to the economic difficulties created by the Tinubu administration. The former Rivers State governor had alleged that the rising cost of medicines made it difficult for him to continue providing the medication his mother needed, ultimately leading to her death on July 16, 2026.
President Tinubu's administration has consistently defended the petrol subsidy removal policy, arguing that the subsidy had placed a significant burden on government finances and that the resources could instead be used for infrastructure and other areas of development. However, Amaechi's comments reflect a growing criticism of the policy and its impact on Nigerians, with many calling for a review of the policy and its implementation.
Key points
- Rotimi Amaechi criticizes President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, describing them as reckless.
- Amaechi proposes a "production subsidy" as an alternative economic policy to ease the economic pressure on Nigerians.
- Amaechi links the death of his mother to the economic difficulties created by the Tinubu administration.
