Group Condemns Amaechi’s Comment as Inciteful, Dangerous
A civil society group, the Coalition for the Defence of Nigeria’s Democracy (CDND), has condemned recent comments made by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing them as inciting, dangerous, and a threat to Nigeria’s stability.
Amaechi, who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the controversial statements at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report by the Africa Polling Institute in Abuja.
The CDND, in a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Rufus Obadiah, said the former minister’s remarks about revolution and bloodshed amount to incitement and called for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
“Amaechi said the only way to stop President Tinubu in 2027 is for Nigerians to take their fate into their own hands — and then added that no revolution succeeds without blood. These are not harmless metaphors. These are dangerous words from a man who once sat at the highest levels of government,” Obadiah said.
The group likened Amaechi’s rhetoric to that of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, noting that both had used inflammatory language to stir political unrest. CDND expressed concern that referencing revolutions in other countries such as Bangladesh and Peru was a veiled attempt to promote civic disobedience in Nigeria.
“When a former minister cites foreign uprisings and urges Nigerians to stop being ‘docile,’ that’s not analysis — it’s a veiled call to action,” Obadiah stated.
CDND also criticised Amaechi’s declaration to run for president in 2027, accusing him of “opportunistic politics” and “a poor performance record.” The group questioned his achievements during his 16 years in public office — eight as governor and eight as minister — stating that key transport projects remain incomplete or mired in debt.
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“What exactly is Amaechi’s campaign message? Failed rail projects? Chinese loans with questionable terms? The truth is that his time in office brought more noise than results,” Obadiah added.
The group further slammed Amaechi for blaming ordinary Nigerians for their own helplessness, calling it “tone-deaf” and “morally bankrupt.”
“Was it the citizens who signed inflated contracts or mismanaged rail projects? No. That was the elite — including Amaechi,” the group stated.
Amaechi’s remarks, in which he suggested that 200 million Nigerians could rise up against a few thousand elites, were described by CDND as “a call to arms disguised as commentary.”
“This is exactly the kind of language that destabilises nations. The Buhari administration arrested Nnamdi Kanu for less. Why is Amaechi being treated differently?” Obadiah queried.
The coalition urged security agencies — including the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and the Attorney-General’s Office — to investigate the former minister’s remarks and prosecute him if necessary.
“No democracy survives when leaders romanticise violence. We cannot allow campaign microphones to become weapons of insurrection,” CDND warned
The group also called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to publicly distance itself from what it described as “extremist populism” and clarify whether it supports democratic principles or revolutionary rhetoric.
“The 2027 election is not a battlefield. Parties must conduct themselves with responsibility or be held accountable,” Obadiah said.
He concluded by advising Nigerian youths to reject calls for violence and pursue national change through civic engagement and democratic processes.
“Amaechi had his chance and failed. Now he seeks to profit from chaos. That’s not patriotism — that’s sabotage,” he said.
