Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has reflected on the intense mobilisation strategy deployed by his team during the 2015 election campaign to resist any form of electoral manipulation.
Speaking at a public lecture, Amaechi stated that his team prepared Nigerians to strongly challenge any attempt at rigging, insisting that the international community was aware of the potential consequences.
He also condemned voter apathy, arguing that citizens—not the government—hold the power to effect meaningful electoral reform.
According to Amaechi:
“If you rig us out, you rig problem. We were convinced they would try to rig the election, so we had to send a clear message that there would be fire. And the whole world understood that.”
He stressed that electoral reform cannot be achieved by government alone, saying citizens must take responsibility for safeguarding the system.
“Government won’t give you electoral reform. The first solution is the people. Stop shouting ‘electoral reform’ when you’re contributing to the problem.
“The more you keep insisting they have already written the results, the more voter apathy grows — and low turnout is exactly what helps Tinubu return to Aso Villa with just thirty-something percent.”
Amaechi urged Nigerians to choose leaders based on competence rather than ethnic or regional sentiment.
“Select the best person capable of governing the country. If you want a president, ensure he is qualified. The first qualification is a genuine ability to transform the country.
“The second is the strength to say, ‘This election must be credible, and we will defend it with everything we have.’”
He also highlighted past shortcomings of the opposition, noting how effective mobilisation by his team limited their ability to campaign in certain regions.
“Ask the PDP if they could campaign in Kano. They couldn’t. When they went there, what did they hear? ‘Bamaso, bamaso.’ That happened because we had mobilised Nigerians.”
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