The former minister said this while speaking as a guest at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture held at Lagos State on Friday, while condemning his fellow countrymen for being docile and tolerant of the malfeasance of politicians.
Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transport in the Muhammadu Buhari-led regime and former governor of Rivers State, has lambasted Nigerians for tolerating corrupt politicians and shying away to fight bad governance which has hindered the growth and progress of the country.
The former minister said this while speaking as a guest at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture held at Lagos State on Friday, while condemning his fellow countrymen for being docile and tolerant of the malfeasance of politicians.
“What is new to say? Nigerians don’t react to anything. Has any politician told you he is not a thief? Tell me one politician who says he is not a thief. Tell me one. Which politician told you he went to the university? Which politician told you he served in NYSC? Which politician told you he has a certificate? Nigerians know and still vote for them. So what’s your problem? So, I say why should I speak when there is nothing new?” Amaechi said.
He continued, “Instead of Nigerians facing their problems, they are committing suicide. I’m praying for you so that you will continue to commit suicide so that one day I’ll wake up and all of you have died. I can now enjoy the benefits of your death by speaking those things.
“Nigerians choose who to believe and not to believe. They chose who to vote and who not to vote. Even if you go to a Nigerian man’s house and kill his mother, the father will continue his life. Nothing borders you. Nothing. So why do I waste my time?”
Speaking in pidgin, he added, “What other people resist in Ghana and Kenya, Nigerians say no worry no be four years, him go go. The man wins the second term by crook or magic, they’ll say no be eight years. No be Goodluck and Buhari don go so? Him go soon go.
“Another person will come and repeat the same thing. You will be saying that until the day God will come for those of us who are Christians. So I’ve chosen to be like you; say nothing, hear nothing and do nothing,” Amaechi said.