Equal opportunity must replace federal character — Amaechi

Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he would abolish the federal character principle if elected President in 2027, arguing that all Nigerians should enjoy equal citizenship rights without regional or ethnic distinctions.

Amaechi made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja after appearing before the ADC presidential screening committee.

He said the current federal character system exists because Nigeria’s governance structure is “unfair” and does not guarantee equal opportunities for citizens across the country.

According to him, appointments and employment into public institutions should be based strictly on competence and merit, rather than indigeneship or regional considerations.

The former Rivers State governor said eliminating such distinctions would ensure that Nigerians can live and work freely anywhere in the country without discrimination.

He argued that poverty, unemployment and systemic inequality were major drivers of insecurity and criminality, adding that the country’s socio-economic structure was “deeply flawed.”

“The reason people carry guns is because the system is bad. Nigeria has been divided into the rich and the poor,” he said.

Amaechi also faulted disparities in access to education and healthcare, noting that while wealthy families rely on private institutions, poorer citizens depend on underfunded public services.

He said leaders should be assessed based on performance rather than ethnicity or regional identity, citing reforms undertaken during his tenure as Rivers governor, including expansion of healthcare services and increased recruitment of medical personnel.

Amaechi further stated that his presidential ambition is not tied to any vice-presidential arrangement, insisting that he is fully committed to contesting for the presidency.

“I don’t want to be vice president. I made myself clear,” he said.