Rotimi Amaechi has claimed that he “technically resigned” from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after becoming disillusioned with the government’s failure to meet its core objectives.
The former Minister of Transportation revealed that his decision followed growing concerns that the administration was not delivering on the promises that initially brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power. Amaechi stated that he had attempted to address these issues through private channels before reaching his conclusion.
According to the former minister, his grievances were significant enough to prompt a direct confrontation with President Buhari. He expressed that the gap between the administration’s mandates and its actual performance became a primary driver for his withdrawal from active governance within the cabinet.
Amaechi’s disclosure provides a glimpse into the internal tensions that existed during the Buhari presidency. He noted that he first approached the President privately to express his concerns about the administration’s trajectory. This attempt to realign the government’s actions with its original campaign promises reportedly failed to yield the desired changes.
The claim of a “technical resignation” suggests that while Amaechi may have continued to hold his official position, he had psychologically and politically distanced himself from the administration’s operations. This distinction is significant in the context of Nigerian political loyalty, where ministers are often expected to maintain a unified front regardless of internal disagreements.
His comments were part of recent statements regarding his political journey and his time in the federal cabinet. The revelation comes during a period of intense reflection on the legacy of the 2015–2023 administration, which faced significant criticism over economic management and national security.
The Buhari administration’s performance
The administration that Amaechi served was marked by several periods of economic volatility, including two recessions and high inflation rates. While the government prioritised large-scale infrastructure projects, many citizens and political actors argued that the administration struggled to address the fundamental security challenges and the rising cost of living that the APC had promised to tackle during the 2015 campaign.
During his tenure as Minister of Transportation, Amaechi was a prominent figure in the federal government, overseeing major rail and port developments. However, his political standing has often been shaped by his influence in Rivers State and his complex relationship with the national leadership of the APC.
The admission that a senior cabinet member felt the need to “technically resign” suggests a level of friction that was not publicly acknowledged at the time. It raises questions about how much internal dissent existed within the highest levels of the former administration.
The details of the private discussions held between the former minister and the President have not been released, leaving the specific nature of their disagreement and the exact timeline of his withdrawal unresolved.
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