Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife pushed him out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the height of political tensions in the state.
Amaechi made the claim on Friday while speaking on Channels Television.
The former minister of transportation, now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said he was effectively forced out of the PDP following a takeover of the party’s structure in Rivers State.
“I was literally chased out of the PDP… the president, Goodluck and his wife, took over the political structure in Rivers state and forced me out. The same thing happened in APC,” he said.
“I will never keep quiet in the face of injustice. When I speak up, they begin to plan to make me irrelevant.”
Amaechi exited the PDP in 2013 after being suspended over alleged anti-party activities. He later became a central figure in the breakaway new PDP (nPDP) bloc, which merged with other opposition groups to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 general election.
The APC went on to defeat Jonathan, with Muhammadu Buhari emerging as president. Amaechi played a key role in that electoral victory.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Amaechi expressed readiness to support former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar if he secures the ADC presidential ticket, but insisted the process must be democratic.
“Of course, if Atiku wins, I will support him. But beyond him winning, it has to be through primaries,” he said.
“I don’t agree with those who say they want a consensus candidate. Let’s allow people to vote for who they want in the party.”
He described Abubakar as qualified to contest for the presidency, noting that doing so is within his constitutional rights.
“Vice-President Atiku is eminently qualified to be the president of Nigeria, and it is within his right to contest,” he added.
Amaechi also dismissed arguments around zoning, maintaining that leadership should be based on competence rather than regional considerations.
“I don’t agree with north or south or any such divisions,” he said.
“What I believe is that the most qualified candidates should be allowed to govern and be elected.”
The former governor, who came second in the APC presidential primary in 2023 behind President Bola Tinubu, said he remains a viable contender for the next election cycle.
He argued that Nigerians are seeking capable leadership to tackle pressing challenges, including economic hardship and insecurity.
“Nigerians are looking for someone who can solve their problems… who can put food on our table? Who can fix the security situation?” he asked.
Amaechi stressed that the presidency requires stamina and active engagement with national issues.
“This job requires capacity. It requires the ability to wake up early, keep up with and listen to people, examine problems, and act,” he said.
He pointed to his tenure as governor as evidence of his ability to manage security challenges.
“I have governed Rivers state, and I have shown that I can tackle insecurity,” he said.
The former minister also criticised the current administration, warning that governance must reflect inclusivity across ethnic and religious lines.
“There must be balance in society. You must protect all religious and ethnic interests,” he said.
“If you continue what you are doing currently, the people will not be happy. They will continue to say they want to leave.”