Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi stated on Tuesday that he and his political ally, Lamido, would not have accepted the current state of affairs in Nigeria if they were still in office. Amaechi, who served as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum during Lamido’s time as Governor of Jigawa State, spoke candidly at the public presentation of Lamido’s autobiography, Being True to Myself, in Abuja.
Amaechi noted, “I asked you (Lamido) this morning, what is going on currently in the country, in Nigerian politics — would it have happened when we were governors? You said no. And the answer is no.” He explained that during their time in office, both he and Lamido would have taken a strong stand against the federal government, including confronting the president, to ensure they acted in the best interest of the country.
Reflecting on his time working closely with Lamido, Amaechi noted their shared commitment to holding the government accountable. He emphasized that despite their political alliance, their paths diverged during a significant political moment when they disagreed on strategy. According to Amaechi, they both initially worked together to oppose then-President Goodluck Jonathan, but ultimately, Lamido chose to align with a new party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which led to their separation.
Amaechi, known for his forthright approach to politics, also described Lamido’s influence and determination in political matters. “We would have confronted the government, confronted the president. That’s how radical you were. That’s how our Governors Forum operated. That’s how determined we were to change things,” Amaechi said, underscoring their bold stance during their time as governors.
During the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, who reiterated the importance of an inclusive democracy in which opposition is seen as a healthy part of political discourse. President Tinubu welcomed constructive criticism, while maintaining his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities for the nation’s welfare.
In addition to his reflections on Nigerian politics, Lamido also used the opportunity to call on the federal government to settle an outstanding debt owed to the family of the late Chief MKO Abiola. Lamido urged the government to pay the N45 billion allegedly owed to Abiola’s company, International Telephone and Telecommunications (ITT). He highlighted that this debt has been lingering for years and suggested that its settlement would be a step towards providing closure on the long-standing June 12, 1993 election controversy. Lamido’s appeal was directed at President Tinubu, who he urged to address the issue.
Former Military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was represented by former INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, praised Lamido’s transparency and the valuable insights provided in his autobiography. Jega acknowledged that Lamido’s book gives readers an in-depth look at his political career and the challenges he faced in Nigerian politics.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also present at the event, reflected on Lamido’s contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy, particularly his diplomatic efforts during Obasanjo’s administration. Obasanjo praised Lamido’s role in restoring Nigeria’s international standing, noting that Lamido’s work had been instrumental in reestablishing the country’s credibility on the world stage.
The event, which celebrated Lamido’s life and work, also highlighted his ongoing criticism of the current political dispensation. Former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu, who reviewed Lamido’s autobiography, remarked that Lamido’s sharp critique of the current administration, especially the APC era, paints a sobering picture of Nigeria’s political climate. Ayu encouraged Lamido to write additional volumes of his memoir, focusing on his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs and his achievements as Governor of Jigawa.
