Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that Nigeria is in a state of complete collapse and urgently needs transformative change.
Speaking to journalists during a coalition meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, July 1, Amaechi confirmed that he formally quit the APC the night before. He accused the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding to manipulate the forthcoming elections.
“I left the APC last night,” Amaechi said. “I never attended any meetings. In fact, I warned them in writing not to send me invitations. I’m surprised I wasn’t expelled. You can’t belong to a club where most members are stealing and remain silent.”
The former minister was blunt in his assessment of the country’s condition, blaming the APC-led government for worsening hardship and rising economic instability.
“Nigeria is completely destroyed. People can’t eat. They can’t afford food. Inflation is at its peak. Everything is gone,” he lamented. “The federal government is busy trying to hijack the election, and INEC is helping them.”
Rejecting the notion that merely changing the government would solve Nigeria’s problems, Amaechi called for a nationwide movement to reclaim the country from political elites.
“It’s not about changing the government — it’s about changing Nigeria. We need a movement that empowers ordinary Nigerians to take back control, not just another political party,” he said.
Amaechi also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, stating that the current administration has worsened the economic crisis to the point where Nigerians now yearn for former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
“I never believed Tinubu was fit to govern this country. Now people are wishing for Buhari’s return. During his time, the dollar was around ₦460. Today, it’s ₦1,580 — that’s more than 100% increase,” he noted.
Responding to suggestions that the exchange rate crisis might be the result of a deliberate government policy, Amaechi said: “Whether it’s deliberate or not, any government that ignores the well-being of its people cannot justify such a policy. President Tinubu himself said he’s not here to make Nigerians happy.”
Amaechi’s departure marks a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 elections, as he joins a growing chorus of voices calling for systemic reform beyond traditional party politics.
