A socio-cultural group in Northern Nigeria, the Northern Alternative Forum (NAF), has asked appropriate security agencies in Nigeria to investigate former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Transportation Minister, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, for his recent scathing criticism of the Tinubu administration which the group considers as “inciting”.
Amaechi had, in a recent interview with ABN TV, wondered why Nigerians were not angry enough to express their umbrage against the increasing hardship and multidimensional poverty in the country which he believed were direct products of the administration’s ill-advised economic policies.
The former Rivers State governor had added up everything and concluded that Nigerians were not protesting enough against rising cost of living, frequent hike in the pump price of petrol as well as their inability to afford basic necessities of life.
But the Northern Alternative Forum, in a statement issued by its National Chairman, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, declared that Amaechi’s tough stance was “treasonable” and capable of inciting insurrection against the Tinubu’s administration.
The group maintained that the former Transportation Minister lacked the credibility and moral authority to lampoon the administration, accusing him of alleged mismanagement of funds, ineptitude, highhandedness as Minister.
The group observed: “Amaechi’s statement that expresses surprise at the prevailing calm despite increasing hardship amounts to whipping sentiments against the government with the hope of causing insurrection. In fact, it’s treasonable.”
It also upbraided Amaechi for his handling of the Ministry of Transportation, alleging arbitrary dissolution of the boards of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and NIMASA all in a bid to cover his tracks.
The Group then urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, and other associated financial crimes agencies to investigate Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation.
The group continued: “For Rotimi Amaechi to speak on matters of governance is like a hyena seeking to treat others of diarrhoea, while its tail is full of feces. Has he cleared himself of the N96 billion fraud from Rivers State money levelled against him? Has he cleared himself of all his alleged malfeasance at the Ministry of Transportation?”
The group also spoke on other matters of national importance, praising President Tinubu for tackling the of fuel subsidy headlong, wondering:
“Why are we still battling with fuel subsidy? It’s because the last administration failed to take the bull by the horns. That’s what President Tinubu has summoned the courage to do. Why these tantrums?
“We at NAF know why Ameachi is incensed with Tinubu’s administration. He wanted to be president. He had banked on the support of some powerful elements in the last government to facilitate his clinching the APC presidential ticket.
“Unfortunately, politics don’t work on sentiments. The man who deserved and sincerely worked for it got it. This vituperation is a pent-up anger from his failed political ambition.”
On the Tinubu reforms, the group said that no reform comes without initial pains, declaring:
“Every genuine reform comes with initial discomforts. It’s like a pregnant woman. After the nine-month pain, her baby arrives, and she forgets all the pains. This is my advice to Nigerians: disregard failed politicians, who are looking for where to vent their frustrations.
“Instead, focus on your support for Tinubu’s administration and its lofty reform agenda. For in due time, we shall all reap the good fruits.”