Give Us one year to Fix Economy or I’ll leave — Amaechi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has challenged Nigerians to give the party one year to demonstrate the impact of its economic policies.

Amaechi made the statement on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday, while discussing the party’s proposed approach to fuel pricing and domestic refining ahead of the 2027 presidential election. 

According to him, an ADC administration would consider a production subsidy aimed at supporting domestic refiners, rather than subsidising the retail price of petrol.

“Give us one year. If you don’t begin to feel the change, I will leave,” Amaechi said.

Explaining the proposed model, the former Rivers State governor said the government could sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries at a price below the prevailing crude price, with the difference constituting the production subsidy.

“When a president introduces production subsidy, it doesn’t mean we will pay subsidy. 

“What it means is if the price of crude is 15k, I would sell to Dangote and modular refineries at 10k. The 5k difference is the subsidy,” he said.

Amaechi also challenged President Bola Tinubu to reduce the pump price of petrol to ₦600 per litre, saying he would personally withdraw from Atiku Abubakar’s ticket and campaign for Tinubu if that happened.

“If fuel comes down to N600 tomorrow, I will withdraw as vice president for Atiku and I will campaign for Tinubu,” he said.

Amaechi, who is running as Atiku’s running mate on the ADC ticket, also addressed concerns about the credibility of the 2027 presidential election.

He said he did not believe Tinubu would attempt to rig the election, arguing that Nigerians were already experiencing significant economic pressure.

“Tinubu will not rig this election because there might not be a Nigeria if he rigs this election. Why? Because people are tired, they are hungry,” Amaechi said.

However, Amaechi, despite his opposition to Tinubu’s administration, said his criticism was not motivated by personal animosity towards the President.

“Nobody hates Tinubu. I love Tinubu, he knows,” he said.