BENIN CITY — Former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has sparked a political controversy in Edo State after criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration and urging residents not to support his re-election bid in 2027.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during an ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Benin City, where he questioned the Federal Government’s proposed seaport project in Ogun State and accused Tinubu of neglecting the interests of Edo residents.
His comments triggered a response from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, which reportedly dismissed his criticism as senseless and challenged his political arguments.
Amaechi Attacks Tinubu’s Re-election Bid
During the meeting, Amaechi urged Edo residents to reject Tinubu at the 2027 presidential election, using strong language to criticise those who might vote for the incumbent president.
“Only mad people will vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi was quoted as saying, arguing that residents who opposed the administration’s policies should not support its continuation.
The former transportation minister also questioned the rationale behind the proposed seaport in Ogun State, asking what goods Nigeria currently produces that would justify developing additional port infrastructure.
Amaechi alleged that the project was motivated by financial interests rather than a commitment to expanding local production or improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“Tinubu just hates you,” he told the audience, linking his criticism to the proposed project and its perceived implications for Edo State.
His remarks formed part of the ADC’s broader criticism of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general election.
Edo APC Fires Back
The Edo APC rejected Amaechi’s criticism, describing his comments as senseless and disputing his portrayal of the president’s policies.
The party’s response reflects the intensifying political exchanges between the ruling APC and opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
However, the central disagreement extends beyond the exchange of political insults to questions about infrastructure priorities, economic development and the performance of the Federal Government.
While Amaechi questioned the economic justification for the Ogun seaport project, the APC’s response challenged his criticism and the way he presented the president’s intentions.
The competing positions highlight the increasingly confrontational tone of political debate as opposition figures seek to mobilise voters against Tinubu’s re-election.
ADC Positions Itself Against Tinubu
Amaechi’s comments are consistent with his recent criticism of the administration’s handling of the economy and the rising cost of living.
On October 2, he challenged Tinubu to reduce petrol prices to ₦600 per litre, saying he would withdraw from the ADC ticket and campaign for the president if that condition were met.
The ADC has positioned itself as an opposition platform seeking to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election. Amaechi is the party’s vice-presidential candidate alongside former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
His latest remarks in Edo therefore carry significance for the party’s efforts to build support beyond its traditional strongholds.
Infrastructure Debate Takes Centre Stage
The proposed Ogun seaport became a major focus of Amaechi’s address. He questioned whether Nigeria’s current level of production justified another port project and suggested that the initiative would benefit those involved in its construction.
The argument raises broader policy questions about the relationship between port infrastructure, industrial production, trade and regional development.
However, Amaechi’s allegations about the president’s motives remain his own claims and would require independent evidence to establish them as facts.
As the political exchanges continue, voters will have to assess the competing arguments presented by the parties on economic policy, infrastructure investment and governance.
The latest confrontation underscores how infrastructure decisions and economic hardship are likely to feature prominently in political campaigning ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
