Amaechi's Campaign is a Disappointment

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He has a knack for picking running mates who don't add much value. His choices in this election and the last one don't make much sense.

They also contradict the main benefits of a running mate, which are understood by experts: wider voter appeal, credibility, and the ability to build coalitions.

Atiku's running mate in 2023 was former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. He only offers one out of three benefits. Delta was a financial stronghold for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that was why Atiku selected Okowa. It was all about the money, but it could not save Atiku's presidential hopes.

Why Amaechi?

This time, Atiku's choice is even worse. Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi does not bring any of the three key benefits to Atiku's ticket. He offers no appeal, no competence, and no money. Amaechi does not even come close to what he did as the governor of Rivers State, where he used the state's resources to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) and help Muhammadu Buhari become president.

What Amaechi has plenty of now is what Atiku does not need: a loud and often silly talent for political showmanship.

It would be fine if Atiku were looking for a clown. But having a running mate who turns serious matters into jokes is troubling. In an interview in October, he said it was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies that caused his 89-year-old mother’s death. A man who could pay ₦90 million for a party ticket couldn’t settle his mother’s hospital bills? Later, he said it was just a joke, but it was a joke that went too far.

Buhari Broke My Heart

Amaechi is at it again. The two-term transport minister, who promised Nigeria a railway from Kano to Maradi in Niger under Buhari, said on November 6 that Buhari betrayed him.

He said Buhari promised him the APC presidential ticket in 2022 and that he regretted believing him. Anyone who followed Buhari's last year and a half in power would know he had lost interest and authority. His endorsement was not worth much.

Amaechi did perform well in the APC’s presidential primaries, coming second against two other contestants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was more qualified. This is probably one of his biggest political achievements in years. Yet, in his eagerness to find a new platform, he didn’t stay long in the APC, his second political stop.

While we await his memoir, which he may name How Buhari Broke My Heart, Atiku should ask Amaechi to tone down the jokes, unless Amaechi is just in it for fun.

His switch to the ADC and becoming Atiku’s running mate show a familiar pattern in Nigerian politics, moving from being part of the ruling party to the opposition, without explaining what changed.

So far, on the campaign trail, Amaechi has barely scratched the surface. His limited efforts reveal his motives during his time as minister under Buhari. His promises to build a railway to Maradi and his acceptance of a chieftaincy title from the Daura Emirate show that he was mainly after political favors.

Record

Amaechi did well in the APC presidential primaries, finishing second and beating two other candidates, including Osinbajo, who was more capable. This is likely one of his most significant political moments in a while. However, he didn’t stay long enough in the APC, his second political stop, as he sought more attention.

As the next election approaches, Amaechi is up against his former party. He speaks urgently, as if he has just realized that being in government can be risky after years of supporting it.

Nailing Nigeria

He tells Nigerians that President Tinubu has "nailed the country" and blames the government for rising insecurity, poverty, and failing education. He even suggests that only a "mad man" would vote for Tinubu in 2027.

His claim that eight million children dropped out of school needs careful examination, not just repetition at rallies. Nigeria's out-of-school children are the result of many failures over the years, including poverty, insecurity, and government neglect. Tinubu's government is not innocent.

Amaechi's critics, including Adams Oshiomhole, bring up his past with Atiku. They remember how Amaechi took Atiku to court for stealing the ADC presidential primary election. They ask why he now wants to be Atiku’s running mate. This criticism is political, but it raises the question of why political partnerships change so quickly and why principles seem to vanish when power is involved.

Accusing Finger

The current government must be accountable for its own actions and for the APC’s record, which includes Amaechi’s time in the party. Opposition politics shouldn’t just be about forgetting the past. If Amaechi wants Nigerians to judge Tinubu based on results, he should be ready for his own actions to be judged similarly.

For instance, the Abuja-Kaduna rail project started under Goodluck Jonathan and finished under Buhari, with Amaechi as the transport minister. He deserves some credit for this. But there are many questions about how the Abuja rail project went from $500 million in 2013 to $3 billion, especially with the second phase costing $1.473 billion amid huge debts from China.

Dog-eat-dog

Amaechi defended the borrowing strategy, but the main issue was never whether trains could run. It was whether Nigeria was building infrastructure it could manage and pay for without adding to its debt.

In this dog-eat-dog politics, Amaechi's critics have pointed out his history with Atiku. They remember how he took Atiku to court and wonder why he now wants to team up with him. While this criticism is partisan, it raises the concern of why political loyalties can change so fast and why principles seem to disappear when power is at stake.

A politician who can criticize Tinubu today, lament Buhari’s broken promises tomorrow, and stand beside Atiku the next day needs to explain how these positions connect. Otherwise, voters might think that the only thread is ambition, changing with the seasons.

Who Nigeria Does Not Need

If Amaechi wants Nigerians to take him seriously, he needs to do more than give fiery speeches and share selective statistics.

Nigeria does not need another politician who finds their conscience only after losing a ticket. It needs leaders who can show what they did with their power and convince citizens that they will not just change the driver, but fix the vehicle.