“If You Allow Them to Continue, They Will Ruin This Capital or Take It to Lagos” — Rotimi Amaechi on Tinubu, APC

Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu may undermine Abuja and potentially move the nation’s capital back to Lagos if re-elected in 2027.

Amaechi made the remarks on Wednesday during a protest in Abuja organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The demonstration, tagged #OccupyINEC, followed the electoral commission’s decision to derecognise certain party leaders amid an internal dispute.

Addressing supporters, Amaechi drew parallels with the 2015 general election, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the ADC aimed to replicate that outcome in 2027.

“APC removed PDP from power in 2015. Now it is time to remove APC,” he said, warning that continued APC leadership could harm the federal capital.

The protest drew several prominent opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. Speakers at the rally criticised the current administration and called for political change.

Amaechi also accused the APC of weakening democratic institutions, alleging that the party fears electoral defeat. He referenced former electoral commission chairman Attahiru Jega, describing his tenure as a benchmark for credible elections.

He further criticised the reported appointment of Joash Amupitan as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the move could undermine the neutrality of the electoral body.

According to Amaechi, recent actions by the commission, including party registration issues, suggest attempts to limit opposition participation ahead of future elections.

In addition, he accused the Tinubu administration of worsening unemployment and urged voters to reject the APC in the next election cycle.

Efforts to obtain a response from presidential aides were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

However, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, dismissed the protest, describing it as an attempt to pressure institutions. In a statement posted on X, he argued that the dispute over party recognition does not define the state of Nigeria’s democracy and maintained that due process must be respected.