Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has said only “mad men” would vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, triggering criticism from the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during the ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Benin City, Edo State, where he urged residents to reject Tinubu at the polls.
The former Minister of Transportation criticised the President’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he argued had increased the hardship faced by Nigerians.
“They are going about saying, vote Tinubu, vote Tinubu; only thieves will vote for Tinubu,” Amaechi said.
He added that the 2027 election would reveal how many people in Nigeria would support the President, insisting that “it is only a mad man that can vote for Tinubu.”
Amaechi also said that if Edo residents voted for Tinubu, it would mean they were “mad,” urging them to ensure the President did not win the state.
The ADC chieftain described Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy as reckless rather than courageous, arguing that many Nigerians were struggling to afford basic necessities.
He also criticised Nigeria’s failure to translate its oil and gas resources into improved living conditions, calling for policies that would encourage domestic production and ease economic pressure on households and businesses.
Amaechi said an ADC government led by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would introduce production subsidies aimed at supporting local industries and reducing costs.
His remarks drew a response from the Presidency. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, criticised Amaechi’s comments and questioned his political credibility and contribution to previous election campaigns.
Ajayi also described Amaechi as a burden on the opposition ticket, arguing that his previous role as Director-General of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaigns had not translated into substantial APC electoral support in Rivers State.
The Edo State APC also dismissed Amaechi’s comments. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, said voters in the state were capable of making their own electoral decisions and should not be insulted for supporting a particular candidate.
Uwadiae-Igbinigie expressed confidence in Tinubu’s prospects in Edo State, claiming that the APC was targeting 2.5 million votes for the President in the state in 2027.
The exchange highlights the intensifying political rhetoric as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election. While Amaechi has focused his criticism on the administration’s economic policies, the Presidency and the Edo APC have challenged both his language and his political standing.
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