Presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi has made a thinly-veiled accusation of incompetence and mismanagement of the country’s resources against fellow contestants.
Speaking to delegates in Edo on Sunday, Amaechi implored them not to vote people who have mismanaged the economy but would seek to buy delegates with money to win the All Progressives Congress ticket.
Amaechi told the party delegates that such aspirants are “inexperienced” an “unelectable”.
In a subtle attack on the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, Amaechi said he has something to show for his time as minister as Transport but certain persons saddled with the responsibility of managing the economy has failed woefully and should not be seen near the presidency.
“Politicians will come to ask for your votes, but please, as South-South people, politicians, and good people of Nigeria, don’t waste your votes,” Mr Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, advised delegates in Edo on Sunday.
“They will bring money here and say you should vote for them, and then nobody will care to ask ‘what was before now, what is his performance?’.
“Ask me as Minister of Transport, I’m working hard to make sure that Lagos-Calabar rail line begins and it will come through Benin. I can account for my part.
“So when those in charge of the economy come to you for votes, ask them how they have managed the economy.”
Amidst repeated denials, Central Bank Godwin Emefiele has been exposed as warming up to run for president under APC, in breaches of extant regulations.
The party’s expression of interest and nomination forms was on Friday purchased on his behalf. Mr Emefiele said a group of farmers did so without his behest as he will only decide his political future in the days ahead.