Amaechi Reveals How APC Paid Women for Protests Against Jonathan’s Government
Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, has revealed that during the early days of the All Progressives Congress (APC), party leaders paid women to participate in demonstrations against the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan. Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy, Amaechi criticized Nigerian voters for being easily influenced by politicians’ promises and financial incentives.
Amaechi also expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu might not be ready to hand over power in 2027, stating that the political climate in Nigeria is heavily shaped by short-term gains, like transport fares, that politicians offer to sway public opinion. “We talk sweetly, repeating the same things over and over. Tomorrow, they will gather people and offer transport money, and they will show up,” he said, pointing out that many voters are motivated by immediate material benefits rather than deep political engagement.
Reflecting on his time with the APC, Amaechi shared a revealing story from the party’s formation. “When APC was first registered, I feared that the ruling party would rig us out. So, we organized a demonstration at Eagle Square. We paid people to bring in women and other participants. But when I arrived to check the situation, I was stunned to see that the women we brought were wearing ‘Jonathan for President’ shirts.”
Amaechi’s comments highlighted what he sees as a broader issue with Nigerian politics: a populace that quickly forgets past actions and fails to hold politicians accountable. He lamented, “This is the reality of Nigeria—people clap for politicians even when they know they are being manipulated. That’s why politicians get away with so much.”
He also warned that citizens hoping for significant change under the current political elite, including President Tinubu, would likely be disappointed. Amaechi emphasized, “No one in power will voluntarily give it up. It’s not about fair governance, but about maintaining control through manipulation and violence.” He also stated that those calling for political reform and Tinubu’s voluntary resignation were naive, adding, “None of you here can defend your votes. You’ve complained, and yet Nigerians continue to cheer the status quo.”
