Amaechi gave Tinubu dose of his own medicine in 2022 – Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate and literary icon, Professor Wole Soyinka, has commended former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for his bold stance during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in 2022, where he refused to step down for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Amaechi was among over 20 contenders vying for the APC’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election. While many of the aspirants eventually withdrew from the race in support of Tinubu, key figures such as former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Pastor Tunde Bakare, ex-Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, and Amaechi remained in the contest until the final vote.

Amaechi ultimately emerged as the runner-up behind Tinubu. Since then, he has been rumored to be working in opposition to the current administration and is said to be a prominent member of a growing coalition aiming to challenge Tinubu’s leadership in the 2027 elections.

It is worth noting that Amaechi and Tinubu were once allies, having played instrumental roles in dislodging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government led by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Together, they rallied support and resources to ensure the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari, who served as President for two terms.

Speaking as Chairman at Amaechi’s 60th birthday celebration in Abuja over the weekend, Professor Soyinka applauded the former Minister of Transportation for his unwavering fighting spirit and political courage.

“The main reason I had to be here,” Soyinka said, “is because I admire Rotimi’s fighting spirit—and it’s a very consistent one.”

He recalled watching the 2022 APC primary from Abu Dhabi and expressed delight at Amaechi’s defiant performance.

“I watched the entire primary election live on TV. It gave me great, rascally pleasure to see the incumbent president [Tinubu] receive a taste of his own medicine. It was reminiscent of when he [Tinubu] stood alone against former President Obasanjo’s alleged third-term agenda.”

Soyinka continued, “Back then, Tinubu was the last man standing when others had been cowed by unconstitutional withholding of their allocations. He resisted. And now, Amaechi played that same role during the primaries. While others conceded one after the other, he stood his ground and said, ‘No, I’m not stepping down.’”

He concluded, “That is what democracy is all about—standing firm for your beliefs. Amaechi exemplified that spirit, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it unfold.”