Former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has issued a bold call to action for Nigerians, urging citizens to rise above political apathy and reclaim their democratic power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the public presentation of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report by the Africa Polling Institute in Abuja, Amaechi warned that meaningful change will not come through silence or passivity. In a striking statement, he declared:
“The only way you can stop Tinubu from being the president of Nigeria in 2027 is to run an election of Nigerians versus the bandits. If you think you will just sit down and do that, may God be with you.”
Amaechi criticized what he described as a culture of private grumbling and public inaction, stating that the Nigerian elite—whom he accused of looting the nation’s wealth—are vastly outnumbered by the general population.
“The elites who are stealing Nigerian money are not up to 100,000, but you have 200 million Nigerians who can fight 100,000 men,” he said.
He lamented the erosion of civic engagement and called on citizens to draw inspiration from global examples where mass mobilization led to political transformation. Citing countries like Bangladesh and Peru, Amaechi emphasized that revolutions are rarely bloodless and that real change demands sacrifice and unity.
The former governor also reflected on Nigeria’s past, recalling a time when student unions, labor groups, and civil society organizations worked in tandem to hold leaders accountable. He expressed disappointment at the current state of civic institutions, noting that many have become fragmented by ethnic and political divisions.
Amaechi’s remarks come amid growing discontent over economic hardship, insecurity, and perceived elite impunity. His comments have sparked renewed debate about the role of citizen activism in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.