“Amaechi Speaks Boldly: ‘Obasanjo Stands Alone as a Nationalist Leader, Others Limited by Ethnic Boundaries!’

*Blames Followers, Not Leaders For Nigeria’s Failures

Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has faulted Nigerian followership rather than leadership as being responsible for the country’s underdevelopment and lack of progress.

Speaking at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture in Lagos on Thursday, Amaechi stated that ethnicity, faulty foundations, selfish motives and lack of political will were hampering Nigeria’s growth.

The former minister noted that nationalism and nation-building in Nigeria are younger than the independent nation, with more rulers emerging than truly nationalistic leaders.

While praising early nationalists, Amaechi criticized modern-day followership for lacking direction and enabling bad leadership. He analyzed the Nigerian condition, arguing leaders have failed to deliver due to ethnic and selfish interests.

The ex-governor questioned whether Nigerian leaders possessed the necessary nationalistic spirit and vision. He singled out former President Obasanjo as nearing the point of nationalism unlike other ethnic leaders.

Amaechi also accused many leaders of seeking power only to benefit their ethnic groups rather than the nation. He said Nigeria’s identity remains plagued by ethnicity.

To highlight selfish motives, he cited a governor who said “money can do anything, and if it fails, more money will do it.”

On solutions, Amaechi hinted that a mass citizen revolt could bring change since leaders number around 15,000 compared to over 100 million citizens.

The former minister also accused ex-NPA MD Hadiza Bala Usman of lying in her published book, vowing to respond publicly at the appropriate time.

Chairman of the lecture, Dr. Uma Eleazu, described the toxicity of living in Nigeria today, lamenting that corruption has reached the heavens.

The event organizers inducted Amaechi and Eleazu into its Hall of Fame, which includes prominent Nigerians like Prof. Remi Sonaiya and Babatunde Fashola.