Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, has condemned former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his recent statement suggesting that politicians in the country are willing to kill, steal, and hold onto power at all costs.
Amaechi made the controversial remarks during a two-day National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria earlier this week, which focused on enhancing governance and political integrity.
Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, claimed that politicians, including President Bola Tinubu, would not relinquish power to the younger generation without resistance.
He also suggested that Nigerian voters are easily manipulated by political promises and incentives from officeholders.
“Politicians get away with everything here. They get away with murder because of Nigerians’ short memories. No one can defend their votes,” Amaechi said.
“The politician is here to steal, maim, kill, and remain in power. If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you’re mistaken. We forget history when we speak.”
In response, Matawalle called Amaechi’s statements reckless and incendiary.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, the minister stressed that power in Nigeria should be earned through democracy, not through violence or intimidation as suggested by Amaechi.
Matawalle reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration is committed to promoting peace, democratic values, and national security.
He expressed concern about the negative impact of such inflammatory rhetoric, especially in a time when the government is working to foster unity and stability.
“It is both reckless and dangerous for a former public office holder to make such inflammatory remarks,” Matawalle said.
“At a time when the government is working tirelessly to consolidate national unity and security, no responsible leader should be fueling violence or political unrest.”
The minister also warned Amaechi against misleading younger Nigerians, emphasizing that any individual or group attempting to incite violence or destabilize the country would face legal consequences.
He reassured that security agencies are on high alert and that the government would not tolerate efforts to disrupt the nation’s peace.
“We will not allow any form of subversive rhetoric to undermine national unity or provoke lawlessness,” Matawalle warned.
“Anyone found attempting to destabilize Nigeria will face the full force of the law.”
