KEY POINTS
- Amaechi shows frustration at Nigerian’s apathy when it comes to suffering in the face of economic adversity.
- Evaluates current political campaigns while the cost of living is increasing and poverty is on the rise.
- Demands for no violence and boycott of the polling stations until people’s demands are met.
The former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has lamented over the non-activity of Nigerians in protesting the current economic situation in the country.
Speaking to ABN TV, Amaechi asked why the populace has not taken to the streets to protest high costs of living and the general absence of fuel in the market.
“I’m angry with the citizens. I have said it several times”. Amaechi said, according to what he saw, people can watch the money being stolen from them by a group of people and they cannot even afford fuel or anything.
Demands for demonstrations against political and economic opression
He cited the political campaigns going on in Edo State saying such should not be allowed given the hardship in the country. He said, the public should struggle against the political class not physically but by boycotting the electoral process until their demands are met.
“There should be protests, not even against anybody in particular, but the politicians.” The people should be saying, “We shall not vote. He said, “There will be no election in our state,” after calling for a peaceful civil disobedience for the political elites to listen to our message.
According to The Punch, Amaechi further explained the magnitude of the economic problem by referring to the plight of the ordinary person in Nigeria saying, ‘If people like us cannot even afford diesel, then you can begin to imagine what is happening to the very man on the street without resources.’
But in a rather harsh assessment of the current state of affairs Amaechi noted that “Somebody said what this government has done is that it has made Nigerians strong, in the sense that Nigerians now trek.” And you know, walking is actually good for the heart.”
While Amaechi seemed quite agitated with the state of the Nigerian economy, he was careful not to spell out his own political agenda saying; “I am not interested in politics… ” I’ll talk politics when the time is right” He said.
