Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that President Bola Tinubu is not the country’s main political problem, insisting that the real issue lies in the weakness of opposition parties.

The comments came amid a press conference held by opposition leaders in Abuja on Thursday, themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” which gathered prominent figures from across the political spectrum.

Speaking at the event, Amaechi said, “Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change.”

He emphasized that opposition parties must clearly distinguish themselves from the ruling government to gain the trust of Nigerians. “The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” he said.

Recalling his tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi alleged that electoral reforms were previously stalled after certain ministers persuaded Buhari not to sign the bill. “When I was in government during Buhari’s time, he wanted electoral reform. A few ministers went to him and convinced him not to sign, saying that if he signed, Russia would hack the system and impose the wrong president on us, and he refused to sign,” he claimed. He added, “The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”

Amaechi also argued that President Tinubu’s political strategy benefits from the weakness of his opponents. “His strategy is simple. He’s trying something today, you are weak. He puts something bigger, you are weaker,” he said.

He questioned what he described as the President’s boldness in the face of criticism: “Which president goes to France when you are shouting that he is stealing our money? He still goes there. He will ask, ‘what will you do?’ You can do nothing.”

According to Amaechi, meaningful change will only occur when the opposition demonstrates its ability to act. “The day you show him you can do something, God will bless you,” he added.

The press conference brought together leaders from several opposition parties, highlighting ongoing concerns over the state of democracy in Nigeria.