Former Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he never deliberately diverted public funds during his years in government, although he acknowledged that holding public office gave him access to opportunities unavailable to ordinary Nigerians.
Amaechi made the remarks during an interview with filmmaker and media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo.
Speaking on corruption and accountability in public office, the former minister stated that he had never knowingly taken public money for personal use. However, he admitted that political office often comes with influence that can make certain privileges, such as securing loans, easier to obtain.
According to him, many public officials benefit from the influence of their positions even when they do not directly steal government funds.
“When I say I won’t steal money, 80 per cent of the time I’m serious,” Amaechi said, adding that he had never intentionally taken public resources for personal gain.
He explained that some of the advantages enjoyed by public office holders are not readily available to ordinary citizens. He cited access to loans as an example, noting that financial institutions are often more willing to support politically exposed individuals than regular Nigerians.
Amaechi also criticised Nigeria’s political elite, accusing politicians of contributing to widespread poverty through poor governance and mismanagement of public resources.
According to him, many politicians have enriched themselves while failing to invest in projects that could create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“The politicians have deliberately impoverished Nigerians,” he said, arguing that public funds that should be used to generate wealth and opportunities are often diverted for personal benefit.
He maintained that the country’s failure to channel resources into productive sectors has deepened poverty and slowed economic development.
The former minister further lamented what he described as the emergence of wealthy individuals who have accumulated riches without making meaningful contributions to production or industrial growth.
Defending himself against longstanding corruption allegations, Amaechi recalled being advised that he could have earned enormous kickbacks from government contracts awarded during his time in office.
He said associates once told him that taking 10 per cent from contracts worth about ₦3 trillion would have earned him roughly ₦300 billion.
According to Amaechi, he rejected such opportunities and argued that his lifestyle reflects the fact that he did not use public office to amass vast personal wealth.
He noted that if he had accepted such kickbacks, he would likely be living a far more extravagant lifestyle, including owning luxury vehicles such as a bulletproof Rolls-Royce.
Amaechi’s comments come amid ongoing debates about corruption, accountability and the use of public resources in Nigeria, as citizens continue to demand greater transparency from political leaders.
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