The Northern Alternative Forum (NAF) has labelled former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi’s recent comments regarding public protests as “treasonable” adding that it has the potential of inciting insurrection.
Amaechi had recently expressed frustration over the apparent lack of outrage from Nigerians concerning rising costs and the inability to afford basic necessities, urging for more vocal protests against the Tinubu-led government.
But in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, NAF accused the former minister of trying to whip up sentiment against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ibrahim questioned Amaechi’s moral authority to criticise the current administration, citing his alleged mismanagement of funds, highhandedness and ineptitude during his time as Minister of Transportation.
“Amaechi’s statement that expresses surprise at the prevailing calm despite increasing hardship amounts to whipping sentiment against the government with the hope of causing insurrection. In fact, it’s treasonable,” the statement noted.
Ibrahim also criticised Amaechi’s handling of the Ministry of Transportation, alleging that he arbitrarily dissolved the boards of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and NIMASA to cover his tracks.
The forum further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other financial crimes agencies to investigate Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation to ensure that those who soil their hands in any dirty deals are brought to book.
“For Rotimi Amaechi to speak on matters of governance is like a hyena seeking to treat others of diarrhea, while its tail is full of feces. Has he cleared himself of the N96 billion fraud from Rivers State money levelled against him? Has he cleared himself of all his alleged malfeasance at the Ministry of Transportation?” Ibrahim asked.
