Amaechi: I’ll Resign If Nigeria Sees No Change Within One Year of ADC Government

Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, says he will resign from office if Nigerians do not begin to see meaningful changes within one year of an ADC administration.

Amaechi made the statement during an appearance on AIT, where he outlined some of the areas he believes an ADC government would prioritise if elected in the 2027 general election.

“If Nigeria does not begin to change, one year after we have come to office, come to me, I will resign,” Amaechi said.

He clarified that his benchmark would not require every problem facing the country to be solved within the first year, but that Nigerians should be able to feel a noticeable improvement in governance.

“I didn’t say Nigeria must change or that everything must change. But even if you feel the change, you have a breath of fresh air,” he said.

Amaechi identified security, education and the economy as three major areas that would require urgent attention.

“You must deal with three things. You must deal with security, you must deal with education, you must deal with the economy before this country can progress,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor and ex-minister of transportation also linked the country’s development challenges to corruption, arguing that public funds intended for development were being diverted into private hands.

He said reducing corruption would be necessary to create the resources needed to improve public services and infrastructure.

Amaechi also criticised the removal of petrol subsidy by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the policy had not translated into improved living conditions for many Nigerians.

He questioned how significant spending at social gatherings could be taking place against the backdrop of poverty and hardship.

Amaechi further expressed concern about Nigeria’s dependence on imported finished goods, saying the situation raised questions about the country’s economic structure and those benefiting from imports.

He also referred to an incident in which President Tinubu was reportedly booed by some Nigerians during his movement from Lagos airport to his residence.

“If we become president, nobody will do that. They will be clapping for us because we will change Nigeria,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi is running alongside ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election. The ADC named him as Atiku’s running mate in June after Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

The ticket has positioned the ADC as one of the political groupings preparing for the 2027 presidential contest, with the party campaigning on issues including economic recovery, security and governance.