The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched scathing attack on the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, saying he cannot survive outside public office.
APC described Amaechi as a loafer who has been unable to be productive since leaving office three years ago.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Felix Morka, the APC reacted to Amaechi’s recent comments about his personal and family challenges.
The party prayed that the soul of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, Amaechi’s mother, continues to rest in peace.
“We also pray for excellent health of mind and body for her son, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, a former two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor, two-term Minister of Transportation, former presidential aspirant, and currently the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who could not afford medications for his mother’s treatment,” the statement said.
The APC publicity secretary said Amaechi’s recent comments about his financial circumstances were “uncanny confessions” that should not be overlooked.
“First, he howled that he had become so broke and hungry that his wife was now feeding him. Now, he has stated that his inability to afford medications killed his mother at 89,” he said.
The party alleged that Amaechi had spent four decades benefiting from public office and questioned how he could become financially distressed only three years after leaving office.
“For four decades, Rotimi Amaechi freeloaded at the highest levels of public office. He was never hungry and could afford medications for himself and his family,” the statement said.
“Just three years out of office, he has become destitute, unable to fend for himself and his loved ones.”
The APC further accused the former governor of being “aimless and irresponsible” for allegedly failing to establish a means of livelihood outside government patronage.
“If Amaechi is not struggling with some kind of Peter Pan syndrome, then he must be a loafer, aimless and irresponsible for his inability to be productive and earn a living outside the patronage of public office,” Mr Morka said.
The party also criticised Amaechi’s ambition to become vice president in the 2027 general election, alleging that his political aspiration was driven by a desire to continue benefiting from public resources.
“The same Rotimi Amaechi now asks Nigerians to make him vice president come 2027 so he can continue leeching on the public treasury and keep the predatory lifestyle he has grown accustomed to,” it said.
The APC concluded by declaring that the presidency should not be used to provide personal financial support for political office holders.
“The presidency is not a soup kitchen and will not be a soup kitchen for Rotimi Amaechi,” the party said.
It added: “No one can speak more to Rotimi Amaechi’s unfitness for the office of Vice President than Rotimi Amaechi himself.”
Mr Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly before becoming governor of the state. He later served as Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He is currently the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
