Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has said his decision to obey the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s instruction not to campaign contributed to his loss in the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.
Titiansloaded reports that Amaechi, who is now the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 election, made the revelation during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room in Lagos on Friday.
He claimed Buhari had assured him in writing that he would be selected as his preferred successor, prompting him to avoid campaigning, lobbying delegates or negotiating political support ahead of the primary.
According to Amaechi, he trusted the former President’s assurance because Buhari was his superior at the time.
“The first mistake that I made at that primary was that I listened to President Buhari. He said to me, ‘Don’t campaign. Don’t do anything. I will announce you as my candidate.’
“He told me that. He put it in writing. When I write my book, I’ll put it out,” Amaechi said.
The former Rivers State governor also identified his refusal to enter political agreements with governors and influential party figures as another factor that weakened his chances.
He argued that making promises of key government positions, including vice-president and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, could have helped him secure more support.
Amaechi said his opponent, Bola Tinubu, capitalised on political negotiations and alliances that he had avoided.
He further accused Tinubu’s camp of using religious appeals to attract delegates, particularly in the northern part of the country.
Amaechi alleged that a group of Yoruba Muslims approached governors in the North-West and encouraged them to support Tinubu on religious grounds. He also mentioned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, whom he claimed initially supported his ambition before switching allegiance.
“El-Rufai was my supporter. El-Rufai, in a viral video, said this is done for the faith,” he stated.
Amaechi maintained that he would not use religion to secure political support, warning that such an approach could deepen divisions in the country. He said his position reflected his belief in national unity and a country where political choices should not be determined by religious affiliation.
He also challenged the widespread description of Tinubu as a political strategist, questioning why the APC leader had not secured the presidency earlier if his political skills were as exceptional as claimed.
At the APC presidential primary held at Eagle Square, Abuja, in June 2022, Tinubu won with 1,271 votes, while Amaechi finished second with 316 votes.
Tinubu later won the 2023 presidential election. Amaechi had previously served as Director-General of Buhari’s 2015 presidential campaign before becoming Minister of Transportation during his administration.
