By Aloa Abiodun | 30/01/2025
Former Minister of Transportation and ex-governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has made a startling revelation about his prolonged political career, stating that poverty has kept him in politics since 1987. His comments, which have sparked intense debate across Nigeria, shed light on the harsh realities that drive many into the political arena—not necessarily for service but for survival.
Amaechi, a key figure in Nigerian politics and a former presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this revelation while speaking at a public event. He candidly admitted that his long political journey spanning nearly four decades was not entirely driven by passion or ideology but by the need to escape financial hardship.
A Career Rooted in Necessity
Amaechi’s political career began in 1987 when he joined the National Republican Convention (NRC) during Nigeria’s short-lived Third Republic. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, serving in various capacities, including as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, where he later became Speaker, and as Governor of Rivers State for two terms from 2007 to 2015.
His tenure as Minister of Transportation under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was marked by significant infrastructure projects, particularly in the railway sector. Yet, despite holding high-profile positions, Amaechi’s revelation suggests that the financial incentives of politics played a key role in his continued stay in power.
A Reflection of Nigeria’s Political Landscape
Amaechi’s admission is a reflection of a broader problem in Nigerian politics, where many see public office as a means of escaping poverty rather than as an avenue for genuine service. His statement underscores how politics has become one of the most lucrative career paths in Nigeria, offering financial security in a country where economic hardship is widespread.
According to various reports, Nigerian politicians rank among the highest-paid in the world, with enormous allowances and benefits that often dwarf the salaries of professionals in other fields. This reality has led to a political culture where many enter politics not out of a commitment to public service but as a survival strategy.
For Amaechi, his remarks suggest that even those at the top of the political hierarchy are not immune to financial struggles. If a former governor and minister can openly admit that poverty has kept him in politics, what does that say about the system itself?
Reactions from Nigerians
Amaechi’s statement has triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some have commended his honesty, while others have criticized him for what they see as an indictment of Nigeria’s political class.
A social commentator, Chukwuemeka Adiele, stated:
“Amaechi’s confession is proof that Nigerian politics is not about governance but survival. If poverty made him stay in politics, imagine the desperation of those who have never tasted power but are fighting to enter the system.”
Another critic, Ngozi Okechukwu, lamented the implications of such a mindset:
“This is why we have bad governance. People enter politics not to serve but to enrich themselves. If Amaechi, with all his wealth, claims poverty kept him in politics, what hope is there for ordinary Nigerians?”
However, some supporters have defended Amaechi, arguing that his statement was a reflection of Nigeria’s harsh economic realities rather than an admission of greed.
A supporter, Bala Mohammed, commented:
“At least he is being honest. Many others won’t admit it, but the truth is that politics in Nigeria is one of the few ways people can make a decent living. The system is broken.”
The Bigger Picture: Is Politics the Only Escape?
Amaechi’s revelation raises deeper questions about the state of Nigeria’s economy and the lack of opportunities outside politics. With a rising unemployment rate, poor industrialization, and declining entrepreneurial support, many young Nigerians see politics as one of the few viable career options.
This has led to a desperate and often violent struggle for political power, where elections are marred by rigging, vote-buying, and violence. If politics remains the only escape route from poverty, then governance will continue to suffer, as leaders will prioritize personal enrichment over national development.
What Next for Nigeria?
Amaechi’s statement should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders to fix the economy and create more opportunities outside politics. If governance is to improve, politics must stop being a business venture and return to what it should be—a platform for service.
Without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks breeding a generation of politicians who see leadership as a meal ticket rather than a responsibility. The nation’s future depends on whether it can break this cycle and build a system where public service is about serving the people, not escaping poverty.
