‘Russia Will Rig It’ — Amaechi Reveals Why Buhari Refused to Sign Electoral Bill

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has claimed that Nigeria missed a major chance to reform its electoral system because of fear of foreign interference.

Amaechi said former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the Electoral Bill after being persuaded that Russia could manipulate the voting system and install a preferred leader.

He made the statement on Thursday evening while addressing members of the opposition during a political meeting.

Amaechi blamed Nigeria’s political troubles on weak opposition and poor civic resistance.

He said the crisis is not only about those in power but about the failure of citizens and political actors to organise against bad governance.

“All I wanted to say is that Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is your position,” he 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 explained that opposition parties must draw a clear line between themselves and the ruling class if meaningful change is to happen.

Amaechi revealed that Buhari once showed interest in electoral reform.
However, he said some ministers later convinced the former president not to approve the bill.

“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,” he said.

“So a few ministers went to him, convinced him not to sign, that if he signed, Russia will hack the system and impose the wrong president on us. And he refused to sign. The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”

Amaechi did not mention the names of the ministers involved.
He also did not present evidence to support the claim.

The former Rivers State governor predicted that the current administration may soon begin to demand electoral reforms.

“Tinubu will one day shout for electoral reform. He will. If he doesn’t shout, those who are supporting him will shout for electoral reform,” he said.

Amaechi further accused political leaders of testing public reaction in stages.
According to him, when citizens fail to resist small actions, bigger ones follow.

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

He also criticised the government’s attitude to corruption allegations.
He questioned how leaders travel abroad for ceremonies while Nigerians complain about stolen 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 ended by saying he only spoke uncomfortable truths about Nigeria’s political condition.

“I think, like every other person, I’ve said what needs to be said,” he added.