Political Heavyweights Clash Over Tinubu’s Performance at Electoral Summit
A dramatic confrontation between former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and former Senator Shehu Sani highlighted deep political divisions during the National Electoral Reforms Summit 2025 in Abuja, exposing growing tensions within Nigeria’s political establishment.
Heated Exchange Over Governance and Accountability
The summit, organized by the Movement for Electoral Reform, turned contentious when Amaechi launched a sharp critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing it as “insensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians.” The former minister lamented the worsening economic hardship across the country and accused the government of failing to deliver good governance.
“People are suffering, yet there is no ASUU, no NLC, no NANS to mount pressure on the government. Nigerians are quiet when they should be demanding accountability,” Amaechi stated during his remarks. He went further to assert that Tinubu’s government is “defeatable” through democratic means.
Counterattack and Accusations of Hypocrisy
Senator Sani immediately fired back, accusing Amaechi of hypocrisy and challenging his credibility as a critic. “You were part of governance from the state to the center for many years, with little or no remarkable achievement,” Sani countered. “You are now attacking Nigerians for not protesting, but you yourself never led any protest when you were in power.”
The former lawmaker argued that many current challenges predate the Tinubu administration, tracing them back to leaders who served under both PDP and APC governments since 1999. “All that he is pointing out as bad were problems created by leaders like him. It is ironic that after two years out of power, he has suddenly become a critic,” Sani added.
Broader Implications for Nigerian Democracy
The public clash represents more than just personal disagreement—it signals emerging fault lines within Nigeria’s political landscape as the country continues to grapple with economic challenges and democratic consolidation. The exchange between these prominent figures from different political generations highlights ongoing debates about accountability, legacy, and the responsibility of former officials in current governance critiques.
The National Electoral Reforms Summit 2025 brought together politicians, civil society leaders, and electoral experts to deliberate on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of future elections. Other notable participants included Dr Usman Bugaje, IPAC Chairman Peter Ameh, former SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo, Dr Yunusa Tanko, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Primary source: NigerianEye.com