By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, describing the move as reckless and urging Nigerians to reject the president in the 2027 general election.

Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday during an ADC town hall meeting in Edo State, where he blamed the administration’s economic policies for worsening the hardship experienced by Nigerians.

According to him, the rising cost of living and the growing difficulty of meeting basic needs should influence voters’ decisions ahead of the next presidential election.

“I read on social media that it is in 2027 that we will know how many madmen we have in Nigeria. It is only a madman that can vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi said.

He added that Nigerians who were dissatisfied with the current situation should ensure that Tinubu did not win in their area during the election.

“If you are not mad, then Tinubu should not win here,” he stated.

The former minister also questioned the motives of some supporters of the president, suggesting that their backing was driven by personal interests rather than the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

Amaechi particularly condemned the removal of the petrol subsidy, rejecting the description of the policy as a courageous decision.

He argued that there was a clear distinction between courage and recklessness, insisting that Tinubu’s decision to proceed with the policy despite receiving advice against it was an example of the latter.

“There is a difference between courage and recklessness. Tinubu wasn’t courageous; he was reckless,” he said.

The ADC chieftain expressed concern about the economic pressure facing households, noting that many Nigerians were struggling to afford food and other essential commodities.

“People are not able to feed. Things are difficult,” Amaechi said, linking the situation to the federal government’s economic decisions.

His comments reflect the opposition’s growing criticism of the administration as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.

Beyond the removal of the petrol subsidy, Amaechi also criticised Nigeria’s energy sector, arguing that the country had failed to turn its abundant natural resources into sustainable economic growth.

He pointed to the nation’s substantial crude oil and natural gas reserves, particularly in the South-South region, saying the resources had not delivered the level of prosperity Nigerians deserved.

According to him, Nigeria should focus on developing its domestic industries and increasing local production rather than adopting policies that place additional financial pressure on consumers and businesses.

Amaechi maintained that the country had the resources needed to strengthen its economy but required policies capable of supporting production, creating opportunities and improving living conditions.

The former transportation minister also outlined what he said would be an alternative economic approach under the ADC.

He said Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, would introduce production subsidies if elected president in 2027.

According to Amaechi, the proposed measure would support local industries, encourage domestic manufacturing and increase the production of goods within Nigeria.

He argued that policies aimed at boosting production could help reduce economic pressure on citizens while improving the country’s productive capacity.

The ADC chieftain’s remarks form part of the party’s efforts to present an alternative to Tinubu’s economic policies as the country approaches another election cycle.

With the 2027 general election drawing closer, the economy, fuel prices, food affordability and the cost of living are expected to remain major issues in political debates and campaigns.