Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has sparked controversy after describing Nigerians who plan to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections as “mad people.”
Amaechi made the remark while addressing an ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Edo State, where he urged residents to reject Tinubu at the polls.
The former governor and Minister of Transportation also accused the President of placing personal financial interests ahead of the welfare and economic development of Nigerians.
“Only mad people will vote for Tinubu. If Edo people vote for President Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad. If you’re not mad, Tinubu should not win here,” Amaechi said.
He also questioned the Federal Government’s reported plans to support the development of another seaport in Ogun State, arguing that the project was not justified by the volume of goods produced in the state.
Amaechi suggested that the decision was motivated by the financial benefits associated with the construction of the port rather than the economic interests of Nigerians.
“So, Tinubu just hates you. No, I’m not joking. If Tinubu does not hate you, why is he building another seaport?” he asked.
“In Ogun, what are the goods we are producing? What goods are we producing to have as many as that number of seaports?
“It is not because he likes Ogun people. It is the money he will make out of the construction.”
The ADC vice-presidential candidate further called on supporters of the opposition coalition and Nigerians who want Tinubu removed from office to return to their constituencies and participate actively in the 2027 electoral process.
He warned that merely expressing opposition to the administration would not be enough unless voters also took steps to protect their ballots throughout the electoral process.
“If you want Tinubu to go, please go home. Go home. Go home,” Amaechi told supporters.
He urged voters to remain vigilant during the collation and declaration of election results, arguing that electoral officials and returning officers were human beings who could be influenced to manipulate results.
“Because all the returning officers are human beings. They are Nigerians. Those who take bribes and return fake results and suffer for four years,” he said.
Amaechi’s comments come as political parties and opposition groups intensify their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC has emerged as one of the platforms through which opposition figures are seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and prevent Tinubu from securing a second term.
Amaechi, who served as Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation, is one of the prominent figures associated with the opposition coalition.
His latest remarks are expected to generate further debate as political parties step up campaigns and voter mobilisation across the country.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to be closely contested, with the opposition seeking to consolidate support around issues including the economy, insecurity, unemployment, public spending and electoral integrity.
Amaechi’s appeal to voters to return home and protect their votes also reflects the growing emphasis by opposition parties on voter mobilisation and election-day participation as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
