Amaechi Vows to Resign If Nigeria Does Not Change Within One Year

African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has vowed to resign from office if Nigerians do not begin to see significant changes within one year of an ADC administration taking power in 2027.

Amaechi made the pledge during an interview on AIT’s Democracy Today, where he outlined security, education, the economy and the fight against corruption as key priorities for an ADC government.

The former Rivers State governor argued that corruption must be tackled alongside insecurity and economic challenges, claiming that public funds intended to address critical national problems were being diverted into private hands.

“You must deal with insecurity, economy, and corruption before this country can progress,” Amaechi said, adding that corruption would have to come down because, in his words, “there’s no money for anybody to steal.”

He also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy under President Bola Tinubu, questioning what he described as the limited benefits Nigerians had received from the policy. Amaechi alleged that funds were still ending up in private pockets, a claim he did not substantiate with evidence during the interview.

Amaechi further expressed concern about the contrast between widespread hardship and lavish private events he said he had encountered in parts of the country. He said he sometimes left such gatherings after only a few minutes because he questioned the source of the money being spent.

On the economy, the ADC candidate said Nigeria remained heavily dependent on imported finished goods, claiming that the country imports more than 46 per cent of such products. He used the figure to argue that Nigeria needs to strengthen domestic production and reduce its dependence on imports.

Amaechi also referred to reports of Nigerians booing President Tinubu during his arrival at Lagos airport, saying an ADC administration would seek to change the circumstances that he believes are driving public dissatisfaction.

“If Nigeria does not begin to change one year after we get to office, come to me, I will resign,” Amaechi said, putting a one-year performance benchmark on his continued service under a potential ADC administration.

Amaechi is running as the ADC vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election. His pledge comes as parties and candidates intensify their campaigns and present competing proposals on Nigeria’s economy, security and governance.