Amaechi Reveals Buhari Refused Electoral Bill Over Russia Hacking Fears

Late Former President Muhammadu Buhari

Amaechi Reveals Buhari Refused Electoral Bill Over Russia Hacking Fears

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has claimed that Nigeria missed a critical opportunity to reform its electoral system due to fears of foreign interference, specifically citing concerns that Russia could manipulate the voting process.

Amaechi stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the Electoral Bill after being persuaded that signing it could allow a foreign actor to install a preferred candidate. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing members of the opposition during a political meeting.

The former Rivers State governor blamed Nigeria’s political challenges not only on those in power but also on the weakness of opposition parties and poor civic resistance. He emphasized that the failure of citizens and political actors to organize against bad governance has worsened the country’s situation.

“All I wanted to say is that Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is your position,” Amaechi said. “We are our own problem. When the position is ready, Nigeria will change. The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power.”

He urged opposition parties to draw a clear line between themselves and the ruling government if meaningful political change is to occur, highlighting that opposition must define its own identity independent of the powers that be.

READ ALSO:

Amaechi revealed that Buhari once showed interest in electoral reform, but that some ministers later persuaded him not to sign the bill. He alleged that these ministers warned Buhari that signing could result in Russia hacking the system and imposing the wrong president, leading the former president to withhold approval.

“I will repeat what I said in one of these conferences. I said to them that when I was in government in Buhari’s time, Buhari wanted electoral reform,” Amaechi said. “So a few ministers went to him, convinced him not to sign… And he refused to sign. The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”

Amaechi did not disclose the names of the ministers nor present evidence to support the claim. He also predicted that the current administration may soon begin advocating for electoral reforms, saying, “Tinubu will one day shout for electoral reform. He will. If he doesn’t, those supporting him will.”

The former minister further accused political leaders of testing public reaction in stages, suggesting that when citizens fail to resist minor actions, it emboldens the government to take larger steps.

“His strategy is simple. His pattern is simple. He tried something today, you are weak. He put something bigger, you are weaker,” Amaechi said.

He also criticized the government’s approach to corruption allegations, questioning how leaders travel abroad for ceremonies while citizens protest misappropriation of public funds. “Which president goes to France to give an award? Which president goes to France when you are shouting, ‘Oh, this man is stealing our money?’” he asked. “You are stealing our money, and he still goes to that place. He’s asking, what will you do? You can do what? The day you show him you can do something, God will bless him.”

Amaechi concluded by stating that he spoke only uncomfortable truths about Nigeria’s political condition. “I think, like every other person, I’ve said what needs to be said,” he added.