Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, disclosed on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, during an interview on Arise Television that the rift between President Bola Tinubu and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi stemmed from Tinubu’s failure to honor a promised meeting after the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary. Ndume, who served as Amaechi’s campaign Director-General, revealed that Tinubu, who won the primary with 1,271 votes against Amaechi’s 316, reached out post-election to seek cooperation, proposing a meeting with both Ndume and Amaechi. Ndume noted that the meeting was scheduled after his Hajj pilgrimage, but it never occurred, leading to Amaechi’s sense of abandonment by Tinubu’s camp.
Ndume emphasized that Amaechi, despite losing the primary, actively supported Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign as part of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), contributing to his victory. However, two years into Tinubu’s administration, Amaechi has grown critical, aligning with opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to form a coalition against Tinubu ahead of 2027, as reported by Punch on June 20, 2025. Ndume’s revelation sheds light on Amaechi’s shift, with the former minister citing economic hardships (33.9% inflation, NBS April 2025) and insecurity (2,500 terrorism deaths in Q1 2025, ACLED) in his critiques. Posts on X, such as @SaharaReporters, highlight Amaechi’s role in the coalition, while @Naija_PR notes public support for his stance, though @BashirAhmaad defends Tinubu’s outreach efforts. The unheld meeting, per Ndume, marks a pivotal moment in the deteriorating relationship, potentially reshaping APC dynamics as Amaechi’s influence in Rivers State (1.8 million votes in 2023, INEC) bolsters opposition momentum.
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