Rotimi Amaechi criticises President Tinubu, saying life in Nigeria is worse than during Buhari’s era, while speaking at #OccupyNASS protests in Abuja
Immediate-past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday condemned the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying life in Nigeria has deteriorated compared to the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Also read: Rotimi Amaechi Joins Protest for Electoral Reform
Amaechi made the remarks at the ongoing OccupyNASS protest, which entered its second day at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The demonstration, organised by civil society groups and political figures, demands amendments to the Electoral Act, including the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Security operatives maintained a heavy presence, barricading the main entrance and preventing protesters from submitting petitions directly to lawmakers.
Despite the blockade, demonstrators chanted in defiance, accusing security forces of using intimidation to suppress dissent.
Speaking at the protest, Amaechi, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised the Tinubu administration for worsening economic conditions and rampant corruption.
“Is life easier now than when I was in the APC? Life is worse now than during the former President Buhari regime,” Amaechi said.
He further claimed, “Even though we were planning to remove the subsidy, we had better plans. The corruption here is too much. They are stealing I heard there’s a $16 billion road project awarded without due process. I left APC already and they will not win.”
Amaechi also raised doubts about President Tinubu’s prospects for re-election in 2027, citing growing public discontent.
“We’re not seeing it this bad. I don’t know whether there was corruption back then, but the corruption here, let’s see if Tinubu will win again in 2027,” he stated.
The protest also drew former Labour Party presidential candidate and ADC chieftain, Peter Obi, who called on lawmakers to prioritise transparency in the electoral process.
Obi emphasised that the introduction of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the new law would restore public confidence in Nigeria’s elections.
Also read: Nasir El-Rufai Rejects One-Term Presidency Promises by Amaechi, Obi
The OccupyNASS demonstrations reflect rising concerns among civil society and opposition figures about governance, corruption, and the credibility of forthcoming elections under the Tinubu administration.
