Former governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has spoken up about his political journey and achievements. He recently expressed his concerns about Nigeria’s current electoral system and the lack of focus on legacy in modern politics.
Speaking during an interview on Arise television, Rotimi revealed that no human being made him Governor, and God was responsible for him attaining the position through Peter Odili and the Nigerian judiciary.
“Let’s set the ground rules. I agreed to this interview on the understanding that we wouldn’t discuss politics. There are only three political matters I’d like to clarify before we move on to social issues.
First, nobody made me governor. God did. God, Peter Odili and the Nigerian judiciary made it possible. Nobody else. As journalists, no one has ever asked the man who claims he made me governor how he did it. Nobody has asked him that question.
How I became governor, I don’t know. I went to court. Perhaps my lawyer knows—he’s now the Attorney-General, so you should ask him. What I’m trying to make very clear is that I did not become governor in anyone’s favour. It’s also not true that I called Mohammed bin Adoke from Abuja to Port Harcourt to say that Nyesom Wike asked me to make him Commissioner for Finance and I refused. That’s not how it happened. I wanted him as Chief of Staff so I could supervise him directly. I never offered him the position of Commissioner for Finance.
I’m saying this now because I don’t want to trade words with children. I simply don’t. We’ve finished with politics,” he said.
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According to him, he is very sure that he did a very good job as Rivers State governor, because while some people are making noise about building 12 flyovers, he built 6 and said nothing about it.
Amaechi noted that he built secondary schools that looked like universities and even brought in Indian agencies to manage them, without calling the president to commission anything.
The politician stated that he needs the press to reach out to people in Rivers State to confirm his good deeds while he was in power.
“Absolutely and I’m ready for you to call people in Rivers State to confirm it. While others are making noise about building 12 flyovers, I built six and didn’t shout about it. I didn’t call the president to commission anything.
I built primary schools—let any other governor in Rivers State come forward with a better record. I built secondary schools that looked like universities: two children per room. I even brought in Indian agencies to manage them, along with science teachers from India. And now, sadly, those schools are abandoned and vandalised. That breaks my heart.
We tried to build a new city with a 24-hour power supply. It was abandoned and vandalised too. But give me an assignment, and I will deliver.
You also served as a federal minister. What were some key projects you completed?
I began and completed the Lagos–Ibadan railway. I began and completed the Lekki Deep Sea Port. In Kano, I completed an inland dry port and insisted the investor build a secondary school and primary school for local children, which he did,” Rotimi said.
On whether most of the politicians of today care about their names and character, Amaechi said no, stressing that many of them don’t think about their legacy or the shame that their actions might bring to their kids.
He concluded by saying that while he has changed as a man over the years, Nigeria has regressed as a nation.
“Sadly, no. Many don’t care about legacy or the shame their actions may bring to their children.
A lot has changed. Have I changed? Yes, for good, I hope. Has Nigeria changed? In some areas, yes. In others, we’ve regressed,” he added.
