A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has cautioned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could undermine Abuja and potentially relocate Nigeria’s capital back to Lagos if re-elected in 2027.
Amaechi made the remarks on Wednesday during a protest in Abuja, stressing that the ADC is determined to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), just as the party removed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power in 2015.
“The APC forced PDP out of office, and now it is our turn to do the same to them. If they remain in power, they may destroy this capital or relocate it to Lagos. Nigerians must vote them out,” he said.
The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, was organized by the ADC following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) withdrawal of recognition from some of the party’s leaders amid an internal crisis.
Prominent figures at the demonstration included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, all of whom maintained that Tinubu should not continue in office.
Amaechi further accused the president of weakening Nigeria’s democracy and suggested that the APC is apprehensive about future elections.
“They claim to be popular, so why are they afraid of elections? Tinubu says he was part of NADECO. Yet democracy is being weakened under him. In 2015, the APC benefited from Jega, who remains one of the finest INEC chairmen,” he stated.
He also criticized the reported appointment of Joash Amupitan as INEC chairman, alleging that it was intended to weaken opposition parties ahead of upcoming polls.
“Appointing someone primarily concerned with protecting personal interests has no place in INEC. It is disappointing. The process has already been manipulated by restricting party registrations out of fear of defeat. Regardless, they will lose the election,” Amaechi added.
The former minister also blamed the current administration for rising unemployment and urged Nigerians to vote against the APC in the next general elections.
“Unemployment is increasing under Tinubu’s leadership. If Nigerians do not act, the situation will worsen. I have played my part; the rest is up to the people,” he said.
