October 10, 2024
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed disappointment with the Nigerians passive response in the face of severe economic hardship in the country.
In an interview with an online television, the former governor of Rivers State, questioned why Nigerians are not active in their outrage, pointing to rising costs of living and petroleum products.
He said, “I’m angry with the citizens. I have said it several times. You can see a group of people stealing your money, impoverishing you, you cannot buy fuel and anything”.
Citing Edo State, Ameachi remarked on the ongoing political protests and questioned the rationale behind them, given the economic challenges the people are enduring. “Look at what happened in Edo State. Should any politician be campaigning for election in Edo?” he asked, adding that the citizens should be taking stronger stances against the political class. “The people should be angry. There should be protests. Not even protests against anybody but against the politicians that ‘we won’t vote’. There won’t be any election in our state.”
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He emphasized that Nigerians should rise and send a clear message, not through violence, but by withholding their participation in elections until their needs are prioritized. “That is what people should be saying. The rate of hunger now… if people like us cannot afford diesel, you can imagine what is happening to those who do not have children like us.”
In a biting comment on the country’s declining economic situation, Amaechi said, “Somebody said what this government has achieved is that it has made Nigerians to be strong in the sense that Nigerians now trek.” He added, perhaps with irony, “And you know walking helps the heart.”
Despite his clear frustration with the current state of affairs, the Rivers son, stopped short of declaring a political stance.
