ABUJA, NIGERIA — African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has declared that he is not corrupt, challenging anyone with evidence against him to prove the allegation.
Amaechi made the statement on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed his political career and corruption in Nigeria.
The former Rivers State governor said he had been involved in politics since 1987 and questioned why he had never been arrested for corruption if there was evidence of wrongdoing against him.
‘I Am Waiting For Whoever Will Prove It’
Amaechi said he was prepared to face anyone who could establish that he had engaged in corrupt activities.
He said his background in literature, rather than accounting, also influenced his approach to financial matters.
“I am waiting for the person that will prove that I am corrupt. Have you asked why they are finding it difficult to arrest me? And I’ve been in politics since 1987,” he said.
Amaechi’s comments were made while responding to questions about corruption and governance under successive Nigerian administrations.
Amaechi Compares Administrations
The ADC candidate also alleged that corruption under President Bola Tinubu’s administration was more pronounced than during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Amaechi, the difference was that corruption during earlier administrations was less openly displayed.
“Corruption then is not as bad as this, you know the difference, if you are corrupt you hide it but these people are not hiding it, it’s so glaring,” he said.
The allegation reflects Amaechi’s political assessment of the current administration and was not accompanied in the report by specific evidence establishing the comparative level of corruption between the two governments.
Long Political Career
Amaechi began his political career in Rivers State and later served as governor of the state before becoming Minister of Transportation under Buhari.
He served as transportation minister from 2015 until 2022 and resigned from the Federal Executive Council to pursue his presidential ambition during the 2022 election cycle.
In recent interviews, Amaechi has also discussed his disagreements with the Buhari administration and his decision to reduce his official presence in the ministry while undertaking further studies.
Amaechi’s Role In 2027 Race
Amaechi is currently the vice-presidential candidate of the ADC, alongside presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 general election. The ADC announced his selection as running mate in June 2026.
His latest comments come amid increased political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ADC ticket positioning itself as an opposition alternative to the incumbent administration.
Amaechi has recently made several public comments about corruption, economic hardship, insecurity and the performance of the current government as part of his political engagements.
His statement on Friday focused specifically on his personal denial of corruption allegations and his challenge to anyone with evidence to establish such claims.
