‘Mad People’: Presidency Fires Back at Amaechi Over Tinubu Re-Election Remarks

‘Mad People’: Presidency Fires Back at Amaechi Over Tinubu Re-Election Remarks

The Presidency and the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have criticised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi after he declared that only “mad people” would vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, made the remark on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during an ADC town hall meeting in Benin City, Edo State, where he urged residents to reject Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The former transportation minister also accused supporters campaigning for Tinubu of having questionable motives, linking their support for the President to the hardship Nigerians have experienced under his administration.

“They are going about saying, ‘Vote Tinubu, vote Tinubu.’ Only thieves will vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi said.

He added that the 2027 election would reveal how many Nigerians he described as “mad” would support the President.

“If Edo people vote for Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad. If you are not mad, Tinubu should not win here,” he said.

Amaechi’s comments drew a sharp response from Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who described the former governor as a careless and irresponsible speaker.

Ajayi questioned Amaechi’s credibility, accusing him of making inflammatory statements for political purposes rather than engaging in constructive debate about the country’s challenges.

The presidential aide also referred to Amaechi’s recent comments about his late mother, arguing that the former governor had inappropriately used a family tragedy to criticise the administration.

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Amaechi had alleged that the economic hardship associated with Tinubu’s policies made it difficult for him to afford the medication his mother needed before her death. His mother, Ezinne Amaechi, died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89.

Ajayi challenged Amaechi’s account by referring to expenses he said the former governor had incurred on his family, including his daughter’s education in the United Kingdom and his mother’s funeral. He argued that these expenditures contradicted the financial difficulties Amaechi had described.

The presidential aide also questioned Amaechi’s political influence, citing his previous role as director-general of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019.

According to Ajayi, the APC failed to secure 10 per cent of the votes in Rivers State during those elections, despite Amaechi’s prominent position in the campaign organisation.

He argued that the former governor’s electoral record raised questions about his ability to attract votes for the ADC and described him as a potential burden on the opposition party’s presidential ticket.

Ajayi further said the Presidency did not consider every political statement worthy of an official response, but maintained that Amaechi’s remarks deserved scrutiny.

The Edo APC also rejected the former governor’s comments, insisting that residents were capable of making independent decisions about whom to support in the 2027 election.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, said Amaechi was entitled to his opinion but argued that voters should not be insulted because of their political preferences.

He described Edo residents as politically informed and defended their support for Governor Monday Okpebholo and the APC.

Uwadiae-Igbinigie also defended Tinubu’s economic reforms and pointed to what he described as infrastructure development in Edo State as reasons voters should consider supporting the President.

He dismissed the ADC as a collection of politicians whose influence had declined, while expressing confidence that Tinubu would receive substantial support in the state.

The Edo APC spokesman said the party had set a target of 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in Edo State in the 2027 presidential election, attributing the target partly to the relationship between the state government and the Federal Government.

Amaechi’s criticism of Tinubu comes amid mounting political debate over the administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and the resulting pressure on household spending.

The former governor has repeatedly criticised the President’s economic direction, arguing that rising living costs have made life increasingly difficult for Nigerians. His latest remarks reflect the ADC’s efforts to challenge the ruling party ahead of the next general election.

The Presidency and the Edo APC, however, have focused their responses on Amaechi’s language, personal credibility and political record rather than accepting his characterisation of Tinubu’s supporters.

The exchange highlights the increasingly confrontational tone of political debate ahead of the 2027 election, with both the ruling party and opposition figures using public appearances to challenge each other’s policies, records and electoral appeal.

As campaigning gathers momentum, the disagreement also raises questions about the place of personal attacks in political communication and whether debates over economic policy can remain focused on the issues affecting voters.

Ultimately, Edo residents and other Nigerian voters will determine their preferred candidates at the ballot box in 2027.

‘Mad People’: Presidency Fires Back at Amaechi Over Tinubu Re-Election Remarks