A northern Nigeria-based group, the Northern Alternative Forum (NAF), has asked appropriate security agencies in the country to investigate a former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, after his recent scathing criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which the group considers as “inciting”.
Amaechi had, in a recent interview with ABN TV, wondered why Nigerians are not angry enough to express their umbrage against the increasing hardship and multi-dimensional poverty in the country, which he argued are direct consequences of the administration’s ill-advised economic policies.
The former Minister of Transportation had added up everything and concluded that Nigerians were not protesting enough against rising cost of living, frequent hike in the pump price of petrol as well as their inability to afford basic necessities of life.
But the Northern Alternative Forum, through a statement by its National Chairman Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, declared that Amaechi’s tough stance is “treasonable” and capable of inciting insurrection against the Tinubu administration.
The group maintained that the former Transportation Minister lacks the credibility and moral authority to lampoon the administration, accusing him of alleged mismanagement of funds, ineptitude, highhandedness as minister.
The group said: “Amaechi’s statement that expresses surprise at the prevailing calm despite increasing hardship amounts to whipping sentiments against the government with the hope of causing insurrection. In fact, it’s treasonable.”
It also upbraided Amaechi for his handling of the Ministry of Transportation, alleging arbitrary dissolution of the boards of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and NIMASA all in a bid to cover his tracks.
The Group then urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, and other associated financial crimes agencies to investigate Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation.
The group continued: “For Rotimi Amaechi to speak on matters of governance is like a hyena seeking to treat others of diarrhoea, while its tail is full of feces. Has he cleared himself of the N96 billion fraud from Rivers State money leveled against him? Has he cleared himself of all his alleged malfeasance at the Ministry of Transportation?”
“We at NAF know why Ameachi is incensed with Tinubu’s administration. He wanted to be president. He had banked on the support of some powerful elements in the last government to facilitate his clinching the APC presidential ticket.
“Unfortunately, politics don’t work on sentiments. The man who deserved and sincerely worked for it got it. This vituperation is a pent-up anger from his failed political ambition.”
On the Tinubu reforms, the group said that no reform comes without initial pains, declaring:
“Every genuine reform comes with initial discomforts. It’s like a pregnant woman. After the nine-month pain, her baby arrives, and she forgets all the pains. This is my advice to Nigerians: disregard failed politicians, who are looking for where to vent their frustrations.
“Instead, focus on your support for Tinubu’s administration and its lofty reform agenda. For in due time, we shall all reap the good fruits.”