“I will resign if Nigeria does not change one year after we assume office” — Atiku’s VP candidate

Rotimi Amaechi, running mate to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has set a one-year deadline for an ADC administration to deliver visible changes in Nigeria.

Amaechi said he would resign from office if the country failed to begin experiencing significant improvements within a year of the party taking power in 2027.

He made the statement during an appearance on AIT’s Democracy Today programme on Wednesday.

The former Rivers State governor said an ADC government would concentrate on some of the country’s major challenges, particularly the economy, insecurity and education.

According to him, addressing corruption would be critical to achieving progress because resources meant for public development were allegedly being diverted into private hands.

“We must deal with three things. We must deal with security; we must deal with education; we must deal with the economy. And to do all that, corruption will have to come down because there’s no money for anybody to steal,” Amaechi said.

Fuel subsidy removal comes under criticism

Amaechi also questioned the benefits Nigerians have received since President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed the petrol subsidy.

He argued that the policy had not translated into sufficient benefits for citizens, while alleging that subsidy-related funds were ending up in private hands.

“President Tinubu remove subsidy, what are the benefits of subsidy? Subsidy money is in private pockets and they are celebrating,” he said.

His comments came alongside concerns about the country’s economic condition and the level of poverty experienced by many Nigerians.

Amaechi said he had observed expensive private celebrations in some parts of the country and wondered how such spending was possible amid widespread hardship.

“I sit down and ask myself, where are these people getting this money from, going by how high poverty is in Nigeria?” he said.

Amaechi raises alarm over imports

The ADC vice-presidential candidate also pointed to Nigeria’s dependence on imported finished products as another indication of the country’s economic difficulties.

He claimed that more than 46 per cent of finished goods consumed in Nigeria are imported and questioned those benefiting from the situation.

“Who are those importing? Nigeria is in trouble,” he said.

On reported boos for Tinubu

Amaechi further referenced reports of Nigerians booing President Tinubu as he travelled from the Lagos International Airport to his residence.

He said the situation would be different under an ADC government, claiming that Nigerians would respond positively if the administration succeeded in changing the country’s circumstances.

“I watched people hoot at Tinubu from the Lagos International Airport to his house. If we become President, nobody will do that, they will be clapping for us because we will change Nigeria,” he said.

Amaechi makes resignation pledge

Amaechi’s declaration comes after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike recently made a separate political pledge concerning the outcome of the 2027 election.

While Wike said President Tinubu should remove him if he failed to deliver the FCT to the president, Amaechi tied his own pledge to the performance of an ADC administration if it assumes power.

“This time, I will say it. If Nigeria does not begin to change one year after we’ve come to office, come to me, I will resign,” he said.