By SUNTV Global Channel | June 1, 2026
Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a “messianic” leader who believes he is uniquely positioned to solve Nigeria’s problems.
Amaechi made the remarks during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, where he spoke extensively about Nigerian politics, democracy, leadership, and his relationship with some of the country’s most influential political figures.
Speaking on his relationship with Obasanjo, Amaechi said despite being one of the former president’s strongest critics, he still holds him in high regard.
“I like Obasanjo a lot, and he knows that. I’m also one of his worst critics,” Amaechi stated.
According to him, Obasanjo possesses a strong conviction that he has a special role to play in rescuing Nigeria from its challenges.
“Obasanjo has a very unique way of thinking. He’s messianic in nature. He believes he’s the only person who can save Nigeria,” Amaechi said.
Despite the criticism, the former Rivers governor acknowledged Obasanjo’s deep passion for the country.
“I’ve never seen a Nigerian who loves Nigeria the way he does,” he added.
Amaechi also made a startling allegation, claiming that Obasanjo once attempted to have him imprisoned during his tenure as governor.
“Obasanjo tried to put me in jail. Ask him that,” he said, without providing further details about the incident.
The former minister did not stop there. He criticized Nigeria’s electoral culture, arguing that voter participation remains poor despite citizens’ frequent complaints about political leaders.
“Nigerians don’t vote. As a governor, I know this for a fact,” Amaechi declared.
He further lamented what he described as the absence of ideology among Nigeria’s political parties, accusing politicians of switching parties without any guiding principles.
“Nobody has ideology in Nigeria,” he said.
Amaechi’s comments come amid increasing political realignments and growing discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum currently belongs to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC), having previously been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His latest remarks are expected to spark fresh debate across Nigeria’s political landscape as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
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