Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the.
African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressing confidence that he can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he secures the party’s ticket.
Speaking in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) tagged Weekend Politics, Amaechi said he knows Tinubu “very well” and understands both his strengths and weaknesses.
“I tell you, I’ve not had an election against Tinubu. I know Tinubu very well. I know his strengths.
I know his weaknesses. And I know that if I am allowed to fly the flag of ADC, I will defeat Tinubu for sure,” he said.
Amaechi denied ever participating in election rigging and challenged anyone to produce evidence to the contrary.
“I challenge any politician, living or dead, to come forward and say I was part of rigging.
In fact, all the appointments given to me by APC to join election planning committees, I have refused to participate.
There was no one I participated in. Why? Because I know what they discuss… If I get the ticket, I will reveal those things,” he stated.
He alleged that electoral malpractice often involves state governors and the diversion of public funds through government agencies.
“They will bring governors.
They will go to government agencies and get money, but the rest, I don’t want to say it until I win primaries. I will never participate in any rigging whatsoever, and I will not do it.
What I promise to do now, going forward, is to stop rigging,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi also acknowledged that Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State.
“I would agree to an extent that Peter Obi won in Rivers State, but unfortunately, the result that came out was different. How it happened, I have no idea,” he said.
The former minister vowed to initiate sweeping reforms if elected president, promising to amend the constitution within a month of assuming office.
“If I become president, I will change the constitution from indigeneship to citizenship.
If I do not end corruption in Nigeria within one month, I will tender my resignation,” he declared.
He accused some influential Nigerians of frequenting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to “steal money” and criticised the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“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.
The worst INEC chairman in the history of Nigeria is Mahmood Yakubu,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi also took aim at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, challenging him to test his popularity in Rivers State.
“I challenged the present FCT minister, Wike, to take a walk along the streets of Port Harcourt, which will reveal who is healthy and who the people actually loved,” he said.
On the contentious issue of fuel subsidy, Amaechi said he would not reverse its removal but would ensure the benefits reach 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 added.
