Amaechi Promises to Resign if Nigeria Doesn't Improve Under Atiku

Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, said he would step down if Nigerians do not see positive changes within a year after the party takes over.

Amaechi shared this during an interview on NewsCentral TV on Friday. He talked about the party’s economic plans ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said, “I’m sure the president knows my character, the presidential candidate (Atiku Abubakar) knows my character, that if I’m not performing, I may likely leave government.”

When asked again if he would resign as vice-president if he did not perform under an Atiku-Amaechi government, Amaechi said, “Of course. I’m not joking.”

He expressed confidence that Atiku’s government would gain Nigerians’ support in its first year. Amaechi believes Nigerians will appreciate Atiku’s leadership and regret not voting for him sooner.

“But the way the situation is and the way I know Atiku, our first year in office, he will be hailed as a hero,” Amaechi said.

“Atiku will be hailed as a hero. Nigerians will regret not voting for him earlier,” he added.

The former governor of Rivers State said an ADC-led government would introduce a production subsidy. This subsidy aims to cut petrol costs by making crude oil available to local refiners at prices lower than the international market.

He explained that refiners benefiting from this would have to show the savings in their pump prices.

“What we’re introducing is what we’ll call a production subsidy.

“If you don’t bring down the price, because the subsidy is aimed at bringing down the price, if you don’t do that, then you don’t get the subsidy.

“You either get the subsidy and bring down the price, or you buy at the international market rate,” he said.

Amaechi said this plan would make sure that government help to local refiners leads to lower prices for consumers, not just higher profits for the companies.

On agriculture, he said the party would look at current policies, support Nigerian farmers, and cut down on food imports.

“We must review the agricultural policy,” he said.

“We must encourage Nigerian farmers. We will not be importing food.”

He argued that more investment in agriculture would create jobs, generate wealth, and help fight insecurity.

“Agriculture will create wealth, will create employment. Employment will reduce insecurity,” he added.

Amaechi also indicated the level of accountability Nigerians should expect from the party if elected. He said he would resign if the country does not show signs of improvement within a year of an ADC administration.

“If Nigeria does not begin to change, one year after we have come to office, come to me, I will resign,” he said in an earlier interview.

Amaechi clarified that he was not saying that every problem would be solved in 12 months, but insisted that Nigerians should start to feel a positive change.

He also mentioned that the ADC would keep its political activities and campaign for the 2027 general election, despite a court ruling affecting the party’s leadership.

“We are not stopping,” he said, emphasizing that the party would continue with its plans while following the legal process.