Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has praised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his bold stance during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022, describing it as a moment of true political courage.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at an event marking Amaechi’s 60th birthday, Soyinka commended the former Rivers State governor for refusing to withdraw from the race in favour of President Bola Tinubu. Amaechi governed Rivers State from 2007 to 2015.
Soyinka revealed that he had watched the primary contest live from Abu Dhabi and was impressed by Amaechi’s determination to stay in the race despite mounting pressure.
“One of the main reasons I had to be here today is because I truly admire Amaechi’s fighting spirit,” Soyinka said.
“What stood out for me was his refusal to step down during the primary. I watched it live, and it gave me what I can only describe as mischievous joy to see the current president get a taste of his own tactics.”
According to the renowned playwright, Amaechi’s stance reminded him of Tinubu’s own political defiance during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He recalled that Tinubu was known for standing his ground when the former president attempted to extend his stay in office through a controversial third-term bid — a move Tinubu openly resisted.
Soyinka continued, “At the time, Tinubu was the last man standing while others had given in, mostly because their statutory allocations were withheld. But he resisted. Now, years later, during the APC primary, it was Amaechi who stood firm while others were quick to concede. That, to me, was poetic justice.”
He added that when most other aspirants were willingly stepping down, Amaechi took to the stage and declared his intention to remain in the race, saying he didn’t come just to give up — a move Soyinka described as a true example of democratic expression.
President Tinubu eventually emerged winner of the APC primary with 1,271 votes, while Amaechi secured second place with 316 votes. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 235 votes.
Leave a Reply