Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are already in “panic mode” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi, who is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the claim while addressing supporters in Rivers State.
He argued that the President and top figures in the APC were not as popular as they claim, adding that recent political moves by the ruling party suggest growing anxiety about the next election cycle.
“I thought the President said they were popular, I thought those people you were asking me about were popular,” Amaechi told supporters.
“All these things that they are doing are panic measures; they are scared. If you’re not scared, let us meet on the field and let the people choose who they want to choose.”
The former Rivers State governor also accused the ruling party of attempting to intimidate voters ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, the actions of the APC leadership are aimed at imposing politicians on the electorate rather than allowing Nigerians to freely choose their preferred candidates.
“What they are doing is trying to force people on the people; to force politicians on the people. What ADC provides is an opportunity for citizens to choose who the right person is,” he said.
Speaking on the strategy his party intends to adopt to prevent voter apathy during the elections, Amaechi said the ADC would rely heavily on grassroots mobilisation to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process.
“Our countermeasures to intimidation will depend on mobilisation. It must bring out the people,” he said.
“The reason they are doing what they are doing is because they want apathy. They don’t want you to come out and vote, because if you come out and vote, you will certainly not vote for APC.”
Amaechi also questioned the achievements of the current administration, referencing the proposed Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, which he said has yet to deliver tangible results.
“Even if you want to vote for APC, the question you will ask yourself is: what have they done? The noise was about the Lagos-Calabar coastal road — where is the Lagos-Calabar coastal road?” he asked.
The former minister also highlighted what he described as his own achievements while serving in the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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He insisted that major infrastructure projects executed during his tenure as Minister of Transportation benefited Nigerians across different regions and political affiliations.
Amaechi further challenged the current administration to present projects it has delivered across the country.
“Let this government show one thing they have done, either in the North or in the South, apart from stealing money,” he added.
The remarks are likely to intensify political debate as parties begin early positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections scheduled for 2027.