Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed how his decision to obey former President Muhammadu Buhari contributed to his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary ahead of the 2023 general election.
Amaechi, who spoke during an interview on Mainland Radio Station, said Buhari had asked him not to campaign, promising to announce him as the party’s presidential candidate.
He described his decision to obey the former President as his first major mistake in the contest, noting that he believed Buhari’s endorsement would give him an advantage.
“The first mistake that I made at that primary was that I listened to President Buhari. He said to me, ‘Don’t campaign. Don’t do anything. I will announce you as my candidate.’ He told me that,” Amaechi said.
The former governor disclosed that Buhari had even put the promise in writing, which he said he would make public when he writes his book.
“And put it in writing. When I write my book, I’ll put it out,” he stated.
Amaechi explained that he obeyed Buhari because he regarded him as his boss and believed that a presidential endorsement would strengthen his chances.
“Now, when he said that—when President Buhari said that to me—I obeyed him because, one, he’s my boss. Two, if he actually announces anybody, that’s a plus for you,” he said.
He also admitted that his decision not to engage in political deals put him at a disadvantage against President Bola Tinubu, who eventually won the APC primary.
Amaechi said he could have secured support by making promises to influential political figures, including offering positions, but chose not to pursue such arrangements.
“Now, I didn’t do deals. So, I would have promised you Vice President, promised SSG, promised… and then we would have gone for this, and I possibly win, and I’ve governors on my side. Because I didn’t do deals, Tinubu had the chance to do deals. That’s one,” he said.
Amaechi further accused Tinubu of exploiting religious sentiment during the primary, alleging that political mobilisation was carried out among Muslim leaders in the North-West in support of the former Lagos governor.
He said he would not engage in religious politics, insisting that such tactics could deepen divisions in the country.
“Two, Tinubu played on religion. I won’t play religious politics; I will never,” Amaechi said.
According to him, a delegation of Southern Yoruba Muslims appealed to North-West governors to support Tinubu on religious grounds, arguing that Muslims should stand together during elections.
“The delegation of Southern Yoruba Muslims went and saw the North—Northwest governors and told them, ‘Anytime there’s election, you people support Southern Christians. When there is election concerning the North, we all support you, for we are Muslims. And for the sake of the faith, you need to support Tinubu.’ Didn’t you see a wise man supporter in a viral video said this is done for the faith?” he said.
Amaechi questioned whether such religious mobilisation should be regarded as political expertise, arguing that it could create tension between Christians and Muslims.
He said he would not seek votes by appealing to religious identity, even if doing so could improve his chances of winning.
“Catholics are 35 million in Nigeria. I wouldn’t want to go to the Catholic Church and say, ‘Please announce me. Tell them that all Catholics must go out and vote Amaechi.’ You cause confusion; you cause problems in the country. That makes me a nationalist. I wouldn’t want, because I want power, do anything at all costs,” he said.
Amaechi maintained that his refusal to exploit religious divisions was rooted in his commitment to national unity, rejecting the idea that political victory should come at the expense of peace and cohesion.
“So when you people say this magical thing, which magic is that? Why has he not been president all this while?” he asked.
