Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, some ministers convinced the former leader not to sign off on proposed electoral reforms by claiming Russia could hack the system and install an unwanted president.
Amaechi made the claim on Thursday evening while addressing opposition members, where he criticised both those in power and citizens for what he described as ineffective resistance to government actions.
He argued that Nigeria’s political challenges stem more from the opposition’s failure to organise effectively than from the ruling party itself.
“All I wanted to say is that Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is your position,” he said.
“We are our own problem. When the position is ready, Nigeria will change. The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power.”
The former Rivers State governor stressed that opposition figures must clearly distinguish themselves from the ruling establishment for meaningful political change to occur.
Amaechi recounted that electoral reform efforts under Buhari were derailed after certain ministers intervened.
“I will repeat what I said in one of these conferences. I said to them that when I was in government in Buhari’s time, Buhari wanted electoral reform,” he stated.
“So a few ministers went to him, convinced him not to sign, that if he signed, Russia will hack the system and impose the wrong president on us. And he refused to sign. The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”
He did not name the ministers involved or provide supporting evidence for the allegation.
Amaechi predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his supporters might eventually push for electoral reforms themselves.
“Tinubu will one day shout for electoral reform. He will. If he doesn’t shout, those who are supporting him will shout for electoral reform,” he said.
He described what he sees as the government’s gradual testing of public tolerance, noting that leaders escalate actions when opposition remains passive.
“His strategy is simple. His pattern is simple. He tried something today, you are weak. He put something bigger, you are weaker,” Amaechi said.
He questioned why officials act boldly amid corruption allegations, suggesting citizens’ lack of accountability enables such behaviour.
“Which president goes to France to give an award? Which president goes to France when you are shouting, ‘Oh, this man is stealing our money?’” he asked.
“You are stealing our money, and he still goes to that place. He’s asking, what will you do? You can do what? The day you show him you can do something, God will bless him.”
Amaechi concluded by saying he had simply spoken uncomfortable truths about Nigeria’s political reality.
“I think, like every other person, I’ve said what needs to be said,” he added.
