Tinubu’s Govt Is Like Alibaba and the 40 Thieves – Amaechi

Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as being like “Alibaba and the 40 thieves.”

Amaechi made the remarks while comparing the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari with the current government, alleging that the level of corruption and alleged stealing under Tinubu was worse than what Nigerians experienced during Buhari’s tenure.

The former Rivers State governor also questioned the rationale behind the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, suggesting that President Tinubu’s decision to embark on the project was influenced by the personal benefits he stood to gain.

Speaking during an interview, Amaechi said, “The president chose to construct the coastal road because of the benefits he will get.”

He further questioned whether the alleged stealing under Buhari could be compared with what he described as happening under the current administration.

“If there was stealing in Buhari’s government, can you compare it to what is going on now? What is going on now is what I call ‘Alibaba and the 40 thieves’,” he said.

The ADC chieftain’s comments come amid growing political criticism of the Tinubu administration, particularly over its economic policies, infrastructure projects and allegations of corruption.

Amaechi, who served as Minister of Transportation under Buhari, has recently spoken about his political experience within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the circumstances surrounding his defeat to Tinubu during the party’s 2022 presidential primary.

Days ago, the former minister disclosed that Buhari had assured him of the APC presidential ticket ahead of the June 2022 primary but advised him against campaigning or negotiating with delegates.

According to Amaechi, he relied on the former president’s assurance and consequently failed to build the political alliances that could have improved his chances of winning the contest.

Speaking during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room programme in Lagos, Amaechi described his decision to follow Buhari’s advice as one of the biggest mistakes he made during the presidential contest.

He said Buhari personally told him not to campaign because he would announce him as his preferred candidate.

“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. He put it in writing. When I write my book, I’ll put it out,” Amaechi said.

He explained that his relationship with Buhari influenced his decision to accept the former president’s assurance without engaging in the political negotiations taking place among party stakeholders.

Amaechi, however, admitted that his failure to negotiate with governors and other influential APC members weakened his chances of securing the presidential ticket.

He said he could have offered some political positions, including the offices of Vice-President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to influential stakeholders in exchange for their support.

“Now, I didn’t do deals. So I would have promised you vice-president, promised you SGF, and then would have gone for this primary, I would have possibly won. I would have had governors on my side.

“Because I didn’t do deals, Tinubu had the chance to do deals,” he said.