The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, branding him a “leechy dependant” who is disgruntled due to his removal from government positions.
In a statement released on Friday, APC spokesman Felix Morka condemned Amaechi’s call for protests amidst the rising hunger and hardship in Nigeria.
Amaechi expressed shock over the apparent apathy of Nigerians, who he feels have tolerated increasing difficulties in accessing basic necessities since President Tinubu took office. He accused the populace of lacking the motivation to challenge their government, urging them to take to the streets in protest against Tinubu’s administration.
The former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly had previously made derogatory remarks about Tinubu, questioning his qualifications for the presidency in light of the Chicago certificate controversy.
In response, the APC accused Amaechi of inciting unrest against the Tinubu government, despite having benefited from over two decades in politics, where he accumulated wealth. The statement described Amaechi as a “leading participant in the generational devastation of our country’s economy,” highlighting the irony of his calls for protest from a position of privilege.
The party’s statement asserted, “From the lavish comfort of his ‘proverbial glass house,’ Amaechi has berated Nigerian youth for not protesting ‘high cost of living’ to his morbid satisfaction.” They labeled his comments as “insensitive, god-awful, and unpatriotic,” pointing out his long tenure as a political figure without contributing to substantial economic improvement for the populace.
The APC contended that Amaechi’s frustration stems from not being in power, emphasizing that the electorate made a conscious decision regarding their leaders. They described Nigerians as perceptive and aware that the temporary economic difficulties due to administrative reforms will ultimately yield long-term benefits.
Refuting Amaechi’s claims, the APC argued that citizens would not be swayed into chaos by his rhetoric. They criticized former leaders like Amaechi for their lack of action during their time in office, stating that these “naysayers” only seem to rediscover their governance skills when out of power.
The party urged Nigerians to reject Amaechi’s “call to anarchy” and remain supportive of President Tinubu’s efforts to reform the economy. The statement concluded with a reminder that President Tinubu is currently in the UK on a working leave, as confirmed by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
