By Nworisa Michael
Former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday, February 10, arrived in Kano following his participation in an electoral reform rally in Abuja, where he was joined by his son.
Amaechi was in the state at the invitation of students of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology and was received by the state party chairman and members of the African Democratic Congress Kano State led by Mallam Musa Ungogo , to Wudil, to deliver a lecture to fresh students. According to him, the event had received approval from the university authorities, including the Vice Chancellor, but was abruptly cancelled without prior notice.
Speaking during a press conference in Kano, Amaechi expressed surprise at the development.
“They didn’t tell me last night. They allowed me fly into Kano just two hours ago and guess what they said? They said it was for security reasons,” he stated.
He said he had earlier warned the students that he doubted the programme would be allowed to proceed.
“I was pleasantly surprised that I was invited because I had warned the students that I doubt the programme would be allowed to go on,” he said, adding that Nigerians must remain calm and focused despite what he described as attempts to suppress gatherings and dissenting voices.
During the visit, the former governor also stopped by the Singer Market in Kano, which was recently gutted by fire, to sympathise with affected traders and assess the level of damage.
On electoral reforms, Amaechi reiterated his support for real-time transmission of election results, arguing that it would reduce post-election violence.
“On transmission, it should be something the people would call on the National Assembly and say we want you to do this for us. On real-time live transmission, the number of lives you will save is ten times higher. Immediately you finish an election, everyone would go home. You don’t need to escort results to ward headquarters where there will be thugs, guns and fights,” he said.
He also advocated for improved digital infrastructure, referencing satellite internet services such as Starlink as a potential solution to network challenges in remote areas.
“Even in the most remote village in Kano, with Starlink you will get stable network. If you love Nigerians and want to save them, put money there,” he said.
Amaechi criticised what he described as the politicisation of governance and questioned certain federal appointments, insisting that Nigerians do not deliberately elect bad leaders but are often constrained by systemic challenges.
Responding to questions about his political ambition, the former minister declared his intention to contest in the next presidential election.
“Are you just knowing me for the first time? I am not only going to contest, I will be among those in front of those contesting because I believe I have the capacity,” he said.
On the recent wave of defections by governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Amaechi downplayed its significance.
“You’re afraid? Goodluck had 28 governors, did he win?” he queried.
Amaechi also linked Nigeria’s economic struggles to poor power supply, citing discussions he held with members of the business community in Kano about the decline of the once-thriving textile industry.
“One of the greatest issues that brought the downfall was lack of power. If power is revived, jobs will be created and insecurity will reduce,” he said.
The visit has since generated conversations within political and academic circles in Kano, particularly regarding the cancelled university lecture and the broader issues of political space and electoral reform raised by the former governor.