Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said President Bola Tinubu is not the core problem facing Nigeria, arguing instead that the country’s political challenges are rooted in a weak and ineffective opposition.

Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference by opposition figures themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” which was attended by leaders from several political parties.

“Tinubu is not our problem. The problem is the opposition. We are our own problem. When the opposition is ready, Nigeria will change,” he said.

‘Opposition Must Show Clear Difference’

Amaechi stressed that opposition parties must clearly distinguish themselves from the ruling government if they hope to gain public trust.

“The first thing we must know is that we must separate ourselves from the government in power. We must show the difference,” he stated.

Reflecting on his time in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi claimed that an electoral reform bill was once stalled after some ministers allegedly persuaded Buhari not to assent to it.

“When I was in government during Buhari’s time, he wanted electoral reform. A few ministers went to him and convinced him not to sign, saying that if he signed, Russia would hack the system and impose the wrong president on us, and he refused to sign,” Amaechi said. “The same people are now shouting electoral reform.”

‘Strength Built on Weakness’

According to Amaechi, Tinubu’s political dominance is largely sustained by the inability of opposition parties to mount effective resistance.

“His strategy is simple. He’s trying something today, you are weak. He puts something bigger, you are weaker,” he said.

He also questioned critics of the President, citing Tinubu’s recent trip to France as an example of confidence in the face of public allegations.

“Which president goes to France when you are shouting that he is stealing our money? He still goes there. He will ask, ‘what will you do?’ You can do nothing,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi concluded that meaningful political change would only occur when opposition leaders demonstrate the resolve and capacity to challenge the ruling party effectively.

“The day you show him you can do something, God will bless you,” he added.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted to the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. Fintiri announced his move from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in a statewide broadcast on Friday morning.

He said his decision was taken in the interest of Adamawa people and to attract more development to the state. According to him, working closely with the federal government would help bring more projects and benefits to residents. The governor also disclosed that several members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners, and party officials moved with him to the ruling party. Their defection is expected to strengthen the structure of the APC in Adamawa.

Reacting shortly after the announcement, Onanuga took to his social media page where he directed comments at former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. He stated that any politician who lacks strong backing in his home state should not attempt to market himself to the rest of the country. His comment was seen as a direct jab at Atiku, who hails from Adamawa State.

The development has stirred fresh political discussions across the state. Adamawa has long been known as a strong base of the PDP, and Fintiris decision marks a shift in the states political alignment.

The presidency has dismissed allegations by opposition parties concerning the recently amended Electoral Act, describing their claims as misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on February 26, 2026, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for what he termed “reckless and spurious allegations” against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

The opposition parties had raised concerns over certain provisions in the amended Electoral Act, particularly the inclusion of Form EC8A as a backup in cases where real-time electronic transmission of results fails.

Responding to the criticism, the Presidency said the amendment does not prohibit real-time transmission of election results but provides a contingency plan in the event of technical or network challenges. It maintained that Form EC8A remains a primary source document for validating election results.

The statement also clarified the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV), noting that it is meant for public viewing of uploaded results and not for official collation.

On the issue of party primaries, the presidency defended the provision for direct primaries and consensus arrangements, arguing that the system promotes broader participation by party members. It criticised the delegate-based system, which it described as prone to corruption.

The presidency further rejected claims that the amendment was pushed through without adequate consultation. According to the statement, the National Assembly engaged stakeholders, experts, and members of the public over a two-year period before passing the amendment.

Addressing accusations that President Tinubu aims to create a one-party state, the Presidency described the claim as unfounded, stressing that Nigeria remains a multiparty democracy with several registered political parties.

The statement concluded by asserting that the new Electoral Act strengthens Nigeria’s electoral framework and closes perceived loopholes in the previous law.