Amaechi Says Nigerians Long for Buhari Era, Citing Fuel and Dollar Rates

Rotimi Amaechi, a former transportation minister and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, has said Nigerians miss former President Buhari because conditions were better during his administration than they are now. Amaechi made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday, November 10. He asked Nigerians to weigh their lives under the two governments, pointing to the exchange rate, fuel prices and alleged corruption as areas for comparison. He referred to Buhari's past remark that people would call him back, saying Nigerians are now expressing that sentiment. He urged them to compare their circumstances when Buhari was president with their situation today and decide which they would prefer. According to Amaechi, the dollar was about N600 and fuel cost less than N300 when the Buhari administration left office. He also argued that allegations of stealing under Buhari could not be compared with what he said is occurring under the current government, describing the present situation by reference to the tale of Alibaba and the thieves. When asked whether some problems the Tinubu administration is trying to resolve came from decisions made under Buhari, including Buhari's refusal to remove the fuel subsidy, Amaechi rejected the suggestion. Pressed to name one such decision, he replied, "Name one."