2027: Amaechi Vows to Resign If Nigeria Fails to Change in One Year

Vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has said he will resign from office if Nigerians do not begin to experience significant changes within one year of an ADC administration taking office.

Amaechi made the declaration during an interview on AIT's Democracy Today on Wednesday, where he outlined security, education and the economy as three areas an ADC administration would prioritise if elected in 2027.

“If Nigeria does not begin to change, one year after we have come to office, come to me, I will resign,” Amaechi said.

He subsequently clarified that he was not promising that every problem in the country would be resolved within 12 months, but said Nigerians should at least be able to feel a difference in the direction of government.

“One year after? Yes, if Nigeria does not begin to change. I didn't say Nigeria must change or that everything must change. But even if you feel the change, you have a breath of fresh air,” he said.

Amaechi identified security, education and the economy as key areas that would need to be addressed for Nigeria to make progress.

“You must deal with three things. You must deal with security; you must deal with education; you must deal with the economy before this country can progress,” he said.

He also argued that tackling corruption would be necessary to fund improvements in those sectors. Amaechi alleged that resources intended for development were being diverted into private hands.

“And to do all that, corruption will have to come down because there is no money for anybody to steal,” he said.

The ADC vice-presidential candidate also criticised President Bola Tinubu's removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning what benefits Nigerians had received from the policy.

Amaechi expressed concern about poverty and the contrast between economic hardship and what he described as lavish spending at some social events.

On the economy, he argued that Nigeria's dependence on imported finished goods remained a major problem and claimed that more than 46 per cent of finished goods were imported.

“Who are those importing? Nigeria is in trouble,” he said.

Amaechi also referred to reports of Nigerians booing President Tinubu during his movement from Lagos International Airport to his residence. He said an ADC administration would seek to change public sentiment through its performance in government.

“I watched people hoot at Tinubu from the Lagos International Airport to his house. If we become president, nobody will do that. They will be clapping for us because we will change Nigeria,” he said.

Amaechi's pledge comes as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general election.

By promising to resign if Nigerians do not begin to see change within a year, Amaechi said he was willing to put his political position on the line and asked Nigerians to hold him accountable for the performance of an ADC administration if the party wins the election.