Former Minister of Transportation and prominent presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, made a striking declaration during a live program on the social media platform X earlier today. Amaechi vowed to halt the ongoing coastal road project if elected president, branding it as an avenue for corruption and theft.
The ambitious infrastructure project, spanning from Lagos to Calabar, has recently drawn widespread acclaim from various regions across Nigeria, including the South South and South West zones. Many citizens have expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s administration for opening up what they describe as a landmark opportunity to improve connectivity and development through this project.
However, Amaechi sharply diverges from this popular view, asserting that the benefits of the coastal road do not rightfully belong to the people but are being exploited for corrupt gains by those currently in power. In his words, if elected, he promises to “abandon the coastal road” and stop what he characterizes as theft linked to the project.
In the same broadcast, Amaechi made a bold pledge on tackling corruption in Nigeria. He stated unequivocally: “If I do not end corruption in Nigeria within one month, I will tender my resignation.” This vow sets a dramatic benchmark rarely seen in Nigerian politics, signaling his intent to bring swift and decisive reforms to governance and public accountability.
Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and a high-profile figure within Nigerian politics, is positioning himself as a reformist alternative to the incumbent administration. His stance reflects growing public disillusionment with ongoing economic hardships and perceived lack of transparency in government projects.
The coastal road project has been a primary focus of the current government’s infrastructure agenda, aimed at opening up trade and mobility along Nigeria’s key coastal corridors. Yet, Amaechi’s condemnation highlights the intense political debates and competing narratives over development and corruption in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election.
As Amaechi prepares to challenge President Bola Tinubu and his administration, his declarations today underscore a campaign centered on anti-corruption and governance reform. Whether his promise to ditch the coastal road gains traction among Nigerians remains to be seen, but his pledge to end corruption within one month sets a clear challenge for his political credibility and leadership if he wins the presidency.