The African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed Nigerians for the country’s challenges, insisting that citizens must take responsibility for changing the nation’s political direction.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday while addressing supporters at an ADC campaign rally in Kebbi State, where he urged Nigerians to vote against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The former Rivers State governor called on citizens to participate actively in the electoral process, arguing that the power to change the country’s leadership rests with the electorate.
According to him, Nigerians should not allow themselves to be discouraged or intimidated from exercising their voting rights.
Amaechi also criticised the Tinubu administration over its borrowing record, alleging that the Federal Government had borrowed more than $30 billion under the current president.
He contrasted the figure with the borrowing record of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing Tinubu’s government of accumulating more debt.
He said, “You are the problem; Tinubu is not the problem. If we all march out on January 16, let the idiot come out and stop us from voting.”
Amaechi further dismissed attempts to frame the 2027 presidential contest around religion and ethnicity, describing such arguments as political blackmail.
He also questioned the argument that power should remain in the South, insisting that regional considerations should not take precedence over the country’s welfare.
“How can a man be campaigning that it’s the turn of the South? You will do the turn of the South until you kill us?” he asked.
The ADC candidate also faulted Tinubu’s position on Nigerians embracing economic hardship, challenging the president to demonstrate the same willingness to endure poverty.
He maintained that the president had failed to provide solutions to the country’s economic difficulties, urging Nigerians to take action through the ballot.
“Tinubu has no solution, for Christ’s sake. You are the solution. We must go out and march; we must go out and vote,” Amaechi added.
He urged supporters to mobilise voters ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that a strong turnout would be crucial to defeating the ruling party.
