Those who sabotaged Buhari’s reforms still in power — Amaechi

Those who sabotaged Buhari’s reforms still in power — Amaechi

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that powerful interests within the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari frustrated efforts to implement genuine electoral reforms in Nigeria.

Amaechi made the claim on Tuesday at the National Electoral Reforms Summit organised by the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) in Abuja.

According to him, real and lasting electoral reform can only come through citizen-driven initiatives, rather than relying on political elites.

“Most Nigerians who talk about electoral reform do so depending on where their stomach is facing. Those who blocked Buhari’s reforms are still in government today,” Amaechi declared.

He emphasised that massive voter participation remains the most effective safeguard against electoral malpractice.

“If people come out en masse, nobody can manipulate the process. Anyone who tries to alter results or remove result sheets will only create problems for themselves,” he added.

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The former minister also expressed disappointment over the absence of former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who were expected to attend the summit.

Amaechi maintained that resolutions from the summit would have little impact unless Nigerians themselves rise to demand accountability.

“The real objective will be achieved when citizens rise collectively to say, enough is enough,” he said, while criticising what he described as the politicisation of organised labour and student movements.

Also speaking at the event, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, described credible elections as the foundation of democracy, lamenting that Nigeria has failed to meet democratic standards since 1999.

Ezekwesili called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be granted prosecutorial powers to effectively tackle electoral offences.

“The absence of credible investigations and convictions for electoral crimes has created a system with no deterrence for bad behaviour,” she noted. “Granting INEC its own prosecutors will help enforce accountability and strengthen democracy.”

The summit brought together political leaders, civil society groups, and election observers to deliberate on strategies for achieving transparent and accountable elections in Nigeria.

Those who sabotaged Buhari’s reforms still in power — Amaechi