Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has publicly disclosed that he refused to support or vote for President Bola Tinubu during elections, citing concerns about the President's capacity to govern Nigeria effectively.

Speaking at an event marking his 60th birthday celebration in Abuja on Saturday, Amaechi revealed a previous conversation with Tinubu in Yola where he explicitly stated his position.

"I told Tinubu in Yola, I will not support you; I will not work for you. I did not work for him; I did not vote for him. It was the issue of capacity," Amaechi stated.

The former minister criticized the current political landscape in Nigeria, suggesting that voters are often manipulated along ethnic and religious lines. "Some of us who are here are also those who vote on an ethnic or religious basis. Innocent, uneducated people are manipulated to vote based on ethnicity and religion — that's why we are here," he said.

Amaechi further expressed strong criticism of the current administration's policies, particularly regarding the controversial fuel subsidy removal. "The benefit of the fuel subsidy removal is in their pockets," he claimed, suggesting that the financial gains from the policy have not benefited ordinary Nigerians.

In what appeared to be a call to action for opposition forces, Amaechi stated, "For us in opposition, if you want us to remove this man, we can remove this man from power. We want to submit to the opposition if the opposition will take us out of this problem."

The former minister also made broader allegations about governance in Nigeria, claiming that leaders are "weaponising poverty by stealing the money they should have used to build hospitals and schools."

Amaechi's comments come at a time of growing economic challenges in Nigeria, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction over rising costs of living following the removal of fuel subsidies and other economic policies implemented under the Tinubu administration.

As of the time of reporting, the presidency has not issued an official response to Amaechi's statements.