Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that living conditions for Nigerians have deteriorated sharply under the current administration compared to the era of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as having better plans despite challenges like planned fuel subsidy removal.
Amaechi made the remarks on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, while addressing participants at the ongoing “Occupy the National Assembly” protest in Abuja. The youth-led demonstration, now in its second day, demands real-time electronic transmission of election results as part of broader electoral reforms, following the Senate’s rejection of the proposal.
Amaechi, a former key figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting, joined the crowd to lend his voice to the call for credible elections and greater democratic transparency.
He said, “Is life easier now than when I was in the APC? Life is worse now than during the time of former President Buhari. Even though we were planning to remove subsidy.”
The statement shows growing discontent among some former Buhari-era officials over economic hardships, including inflation, cost of living, and governance issues under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Amaechi’s participation shows the cross-political support for the protest, which has drawn prominent figures pushing for safeguards against electoral manipulation ahead of future polls.
The demonstration continues to pressure the National Assembly to reconsider the Electoral Act amendments, with protesters vowing sustained action until their demands are met.
No immediate response has emerged from the presidency or APC leadership to Amaechi’s comments.
