Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of collaborating with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate upcoming elections.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the interim executive committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Amaechi also announced his resignation from the APC, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and direction.

Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, stated that Nigeria’s current socio-economic condition has deteriorated significantly, blaming the federal government for worsening inflation and food insecurity.

“Nigeria is destroyed. People can’t eat. People can’t buy food. There’s no money to buy food. Everything is gone. Inflation is at its peak,” he said. “And the federal government is busy going around trying to hijack the election. INEC is helping them to hijack the election.”

He said the current situation required not just political reforms but a broader national transformation led by citizens themselves. “What must happen here is that we must start not just a party, but a movement — a movement that brings in Nigerians to, on their own, take over government, not us.”

Amaechi also confirmed he resigned from the APC on Tuesday night. He explained that he had distanced himself from party activities for some time and had even issued a written warning against further invitations to party meetings. “I left APC last night. I never attended one meeting. Last time they invited me, I warned them. I was surprised I wasn’t expelled,” he said.

On his stance toward the current administration, Amaechi said he never considered President Bola Tinubu fit to lead the country. “I have never believed that Tinubu is material to govern the country,” he said. “Now people want Buhari to come back. What happens in Nigeria is that when a new government takes over, it becomes worse than the previous one.”

He pointed to the depreciation of the naira as one example, comparing exchange rates between the current and former administrations. “Dollar was ₦460 or thereabouts during Buhari’s tenure. Now it’s ₦1,580,” he said.

Responding to a question about whether the current exchange rate policy might be intentional, Amaechi said, “Whether it’s a deliberate government policy or not, any government that does not take into consideration the people it governs is not pursuing a meaningful policy.”

Asked whether his criticism of the administration and exit from the APC reflected overambition, he said, “I have the right to be ambitious. I am not overambitious.”