2027: Amaechi Vows to Swap Indigenous Status for Citizenship

Rotimi Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, declared on Wednesday that he intends to abolish the federal character principle and replace indigeneship with citizenship if he is elected president in 2027, emphasizing that competence and performance should be the primary criteria for judging Nigerians, rather than ethnicity, region, or religion.

n

This declaration has propelled Amaechi into the midst of one of Nigeria's most contentious political debates, with the former Rivers State governor advocating for a shift away from identity-driven politics and towards a system founded on merit, fairness, and equal citizenship.

n

Prior to making this statement, Amaechi had appeared before the ADC Presidential Screening Committee in Abuja, where he presented his vision for the country's future.

n

In a statement released to journalists late on Wednesday, Amaechi asserted, "There will be no federal character, and a very good Nigerian will be a member of the Federation," adding that the federal character principle exists due to the system's inherent unfairness.

n

Amaechi attributed the rising insecurity and kidnappings in the country to unemployment and economic hardship, stating that many young Nigerians are being driven into crime by a failing system.

n

He urged Nigerians to evaluate presidential aspirants based on their records in office, rather than their ethnic or regional identity, saying, "Assess us by what we've done and reach a conclusion rather than hearing I am from North, I'm from South, I am from East."

n

Amaechi also expressed his commitment to a unified Nigerian identity, stating, "I am not from South, East or West, I am a Nigerian, and if I become president, I will not bring indigeneship, there will be citizenship."

n

He criticized politicians who seek support through ethnic and religious appeals, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and merit-based approach to governance.

n

When asked if he would accept a vice-presidential role, Amaechi responded with a blunt "I don't want to be vice," indicating his determination to pursue the presidency.

n

However, he expressed his willingness to abide by the party's decision if the ADC were to choose a consensus candidate through a process accepted by all aspirants, saying, "I am a member of the party now, if that's the party decision, once it is a process that all of us participate in."

n

Amaechi expressed confidence in his ability to succeed in the screening exercise, citing his experience in government as proof of his preparedness for the presidency, and noting that "the requirements for governorship are almost same requirements for the presidency."

n

Regarding his plans for young Nigerians, Amaechi pointed to the reforms he implemented during his tenure as governor of Rivers State, particularly in education and healthcare, saying, "I was governor of Rivers State and I rebuilt education to standard such that people were leaving from private schools to government schools."

n

He highlighted his achievements in the healthcare sector, stating, "We built health infrastructure and employed 400 doctors, we add 200 to make it 600, and then, we pursued free healthcare," and explaining that the healthcare policy allowed patients to receive treatment while the government paid hospitals directly.

n

Amaechi also mentioned the establishment of primary healthcare centres staffed with doctors and nurses across communities, as part of his efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.