Rotimi Amaechi Criticizes Tinubu’s Leadership, Claims Buhari’s Administration Outperformed Current Government on Key Fronts

 

Former Minister of Transportation and two-term governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a searing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, alleging it has failed to deliver on critical fronts such as economic policy, national security, and institutional independence.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, July 3, Amaechi compared the current leadership unfavorably to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Despite acknowledging that Buhari did not accomplish all of his intended objectives, the former minister argued that the previous government demonstrated more focus and competence across several sectors than what the Tinubu-led government has so far shown.

Amaechi’s remarks were candid and direct. According to him, Buhari’s tenure, while imperfect, was marked by genuine efforts at tackling insecurity and fostering institutional credibility. He emphasized that Buhari’s commitment to security initiatives was stronger, and that the Buhari administration respected the autonomy of institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ways that have since eroded.

“Not everything was achieved. Buhari will tell you that he did not achieve all that he planned for. But then, he was better than the current government by all standards,” Amaechi asserted.

He went further to criticize what he described as government interference in INEC’s operations. According to him, political pressure is stifling the agency’s independence, with some political interests allegedly preventing the registration of new political parties.

“Those who applied to INEC for registration, their rents have expired,” he quipped, suggesting that genuine political engagement and innovation are being obstructed under Tinubu’s leadership.

Amaechi clarified that his critique should not be mistaken for a personal vendetta. He insisted that if the administration were achieving its goals effectively and improving the lives of Nigerians, he would have no hesitation in publicly acknowledging its successes.

“If Tinubu was doing well, I’d be the first to sing his praises,” he said. “I feel ashamed for a President commissioning 16 kilometres of road; that’s what a local government chairman should be doing.”

His statements reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, particularly regarding how the economy is being managed. Amaechi did not hold back in assessing the administration's handling of subsidy removal and the liberalization of the naira, two major policies that were pitched as steps toward economic reform but have attracted public backlash due to their impact on inflation and cost of living.

He questioned the end result of the supposed fiscal gains made from these reforms, asking pointedly where the savings are being directed if they are not translating into improved economic welfare for ordinary citizens.

“You’re making savings from removing the subsidy, from floating the naira — where is the money? Where is it going?” Amaechi asked rhetorically.

He lamented that rather than improving people’s lives, the economic policies currently being implemented have only intensified poverty across the country. According to him, any economic framework that does not put money directly into the pockets of Nigerians is fundamentally flawed.

“The current government has completely buried the economy. Any economy that does not put money in the pockets of individuals in Nigeria is not an economic policy,” he declared.

Amaechi’s remarks have added fuel to an already growing debate about the direction of governance under President Tinubu. His bold comparisons to the Buhari era are likely to stir political discourse within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially given his deep roots in the party and his once-prominent position in the federal cabinet.

As the Tinubu administration continues to face scrutiny over its economic strategies and governance style, the criticism from Amaechi, a seasoned political figure, signals a potentially widening rift among top-ranking members of the party. Whether these concerns will spur policy re-evaluation or further political tension remains to be seen.

One thing is clear: the honeymoon period for the current administration appears to be over, with expectations mounting from both political insiders and the general public alike for a course correction.