Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed poverty for his continued involvement in politics since 1987.
Amaechi disclosed this while speaking as a panelists during the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria in Abuja.
The event was held to discuss the pathways to good governance and political integrity in Nigeria.
The former minister claimed Nigerian politicians were in power to steal, kill, and retain power.
Amaechi said: “None of you here seated can defend the votes. If you have complained, complain, Nigerians have been clapping for you,” he said.
“The only way Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was because people lined up.
“It happened in Ghana before the election of the last president. Two days, a lot of us were called to intervene. But why did they do that? The people were ready to die.
“Unfortunately for me, poverty has made me part of the political system since I left university in 1987, and I’ve been part of the process till today.”
Amaechi was a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly before he became the state governor for two-terms.
After serving as governor, former President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed him as Minister of Transportation.
In 2022, the former minister contested to become the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate but was defeated by President Bola Tinubu.
