In a political climate already charged with tensions and recriminations, former Minister of Transportation and two-time Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaigns, Rotimi Amaechi, has dropped a political bombshell that sent shockwaves through the Nigerian political sphere.
During a candid interview with select journalists in Abuja, Amaechi made a startling statement:
“> If the current INEC chairman had been in charge in 2015, the APC wouldn’t have won. Jonathan would still be president today.”
The remark, laced with both frustration and implied criticism of the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), immediately set tongues wagging across party lines.
Amaechi, a pivotal figure in the formation of the APC and a tireless campaign strategist during the 2015 elections, spoke with the clarity of someone unburdened by party loyalty. He recalled how the 2015 election was marked by a surge of public trust in INEC under then-Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, who, in his view, managed to conduct “arguably the most credible election in Nigeria’s democratic history.”
“> What we had then was an umpire who knew the importance of perception and trust. There was pressure—both local and international—but the institution held its ground. Nigerians believed the process. Today, even before voting starts, you hear allegations flying left and right.”
Though he did not directly accuse the current INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, of wrongdoing, Amaechi’s comparison was stark.
“> Look, elections are not just about ballots; they are about trust. If people think the game is rigged before it starts, you’ve already lost democracy.”
His comments come amid growing public criticism of recent electoral processes, including widespread reports of irregularities, delays, and technical failures during the last general elections. The APC, despite being the ruling party, has also faced internal divisions and legal battles over candidate selection and vote legitimacy—further eroding public confidence.
While the APC leadership has yet to issue a formal response, insiders say Amaechi’s comments have rattled some top party figures, many of whom were already wary of his increasingly independent tone since he lost the 2023 APC presidential ticket.
Opposition parties, especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), seized on the remarks with enthusiasm. A spokesperson for the PDP remarked:
>Amaechi has only said what millions of Nigerians already know. The system today wouldn’t have allowed the kind of democratic upset we saw in 2015.”
Political analysts are divided on Amaechi’s intentions. Some see his statement as a veiled warning to the APC establishment, possibly signaling a shift in his political alliances. Others view it as an honest critique from a man with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s electoral architecture.
Either way, one thing is certain: Rotimi Amaechi’s words have reopened the debate on electoral integrity in Nigeria—and reminded the nation of a time when a sitting president conceded defeat in what was hailed as a landmark for African democracy.
