(DDM) – Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a sharp criticism of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, challenging the government to point to concrete achievements since assuming office.
Amaechi, who recently signaled interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of focusing on distractions instead of delivering tangible development projects for Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists, the former Rivers State governor alleged that the current administration was already showing signs of political panic ahead of the next general election.
According to him, actions by the government suggest it is worried about growing opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
“I thought the President said they were popular. What they are doing now are panic measures,” Amaechi said.
“They are scared. If you are not scared, let’s meet on the field. Let the people choose who they want to choose.”
Amaechi argued that the government appears to be trying to impose political choices on Nigerians rather than allowing the electorate to freely determine their leaders through democratic processes.
He urged voters to evaluate the performance of the APC administration before supporting the party in future elections.
“If you want to vote for APC, the question you ask yourself is: what have they done?” he asked.
The former minister also questioned the progress of the widely publicized Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, which has been promoted by the government as a major infrastructure initiative.
“The noise was Lagos-Calabar coastal road. Where is the road?” Amaechi asked.
Drawing comparisons with his tenure as Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi listed several infrastructure projects he said were completed or initiated during that administration.
Among the projects he mentioned were the Itakpe–Warri railway line and the Lagos–Ibadan railway, both of which he noted are currently operational and being used by Nigerians.
He also cited the Kano–Kaduna railway project, which he said was already under construction before the end of the Buhari administration, as well as the Abuja–Kaduna railway corridor.
In addition, Amaechi pointed to the development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port as one of the major economic infrastructure projects executed during the previous administration.
The former minister insisted that those projects provided visible evidence of government performance and long-term infrastructure investment.
“Let this government show one thing they have done, either in the north or in the south, apart from stealing money,” he said.
Amaechi’s remarks come at a time when political discussions around the 2027 presidential election are gradually gaining momentum across Nigeria.
Although the election is still some years away, statements by influential political figures like Amaechi suggest that early positioning and political alignments may already be underway within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Analysts say criticism from former members of the ruling party could further intensify debates about governance performance, economic reforms, and infrastructure development as political actors begin to shape narratives ahead of the next electoral cycle.
