Senator Adams Oshiomhole has criticised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of making misguided decisions and mismanaging priorities during his eight-year tenure in office.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oshiomhole described Amaechi’s conduct in public office as deeply problematic. He recalled the former governor’s role in the prolonged shutdown of the Rivers State judiciary, alleging it was triggered by Amaechi’s insistence on installing his preferred candidate as chief judge.
“Amaechi is the most terrible. Look at the choice of language. A guy who shut down Rivers judiciary because he wanted to appoint his own personal favourite as chief judge,” Oshiomhole said. “Once he couldn’t have his way, the Rivers State judiciary was shut down for almost two years.”
The former APC national chairman also faulted Amaechi’s handling of the nation’s railway system, arguing that he failed to prioritise key economic routes during his time as minister.
“Look at the crisis in the railway system that he superintended over for eight unbroken years,” he said. “He was unable to get the priorities right, playing to the gallery.”
Oshiomhole particularly questioned Amaechi’s decision to construct a railway line extending to Niger Republic instead of strengthening domestic routes.
“He rather constructed a rail, not to Kano, not to Port Harcourt where he came from, but to Niger Republic. Which goods are we sending to Niger Republic?” he asked.
He added that former President Muhammadu Buhari gave his ministers full autonomy, emphasising that Amaechi had no excuse for the choices he made. “If you were a minister under Buhari, you will be fair to him—life or death—that Buhari gave anyone he appointed free hand to do the job he assigned to you,” Oshiomhole said.
Amaechi has yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
