Nigerian activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has launched a sharp critique against former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, dismissing his promise to eradicate corruption within a month if elected president as “delusional.” The rebuke followed Amaechi’s recent remarks during an X Space discussion, where the former Rivers State governor and ex-Speaker of the state assembly claimed he could swiftly tackle Nigeria’s entrenched graft issues.
Sowore, a longtime anti-corruption campaigner and publisher of SaharaReporters, condemned Amaechi’s assertion as hypocritical, citing the politician’s 24-year tenure in high-profile roles. “Amaechi was Speaker for eight years, governor for eight years, and minister for another eight. If you subtract 24 years from 60, what’s left? As the saying goes: ‘A fool at 40 is a fool forever,’” Sowore declared in a video shared by SaharaReporters. The phrase, rooted in a Nigerian proverb, underscores skepticism about Amaechi’s credibility, given his lengthy political career without demonstrable success in curbing corruption.
The criticism amplifies growing public distrust of Nigeria’s political class, particularly among younger citizens demanding systemic reforms. Sowore, who ran for president in 2023, emphasized the urgency for change, warning that time was slipping away for Nigeria’s youth. “The clock is ticking. You might be young today, but not forever,” he stated, noting how economic hardship and poor governance have visibly aged many Nigerians. “I meet youths who say they’re 24, yet they look decades older—this is what the system has done to them.”
While Amaechi’s camp has yet to respond to the remarks, Sowore’s comments reflect broader frustrations over unfulfilled anti-corruption pledges by successive administrations. Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, with systemic graft persisting despite decades of political promises.
Analysts suggest Sowore’s message resonates with younger voters disillusioned by traditional parties, though skepticism remains about his ability to unify opposition forces. “We have alternatives and will participate, but we’re not bound to one option,” he said, signaling a push for coalition-building amid Nigeria’s complex political landscape. The exchange highlights deepening divisions between established politicians and reform advocates, as economic instability and governance failures fuel demands for accountability.
