Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims that politicians encourage protests while keeping their families abroad, saying he deliberately brought his son to the protest ground to counter such accusations.
Amaechi made the remarks on Tuesday during the INEC protests, where he said his son, a medical doctor, was present to provide medical assistance if protesters sustained injuries.
“There are those who say that we, the politicians, want protests but our children are overseas. Here is my first son; I brought him to join the protest. He is a medical doctor. His job is to treat the injured ones if there are any injuries,” Amaechi said.
Speaking further at the protest venue, the former minister explained that his son’s presence was also meant to demonstrate that leaders should stand at the forefront of major protests alongside their families. He added that the move reflected his personal conviction and readiness in case the protest turned violent.
Amaechi called on Nigerians to rise up against what he described as anti-democratic actions, insisting that all opposition parties should be actively involved in the protests against the Senate’s decision.
“I believe that the opposition parties should come out. PDP, ADC, everybody should be out to protest against the attempt of one party,” he said.
He also challenged the ruling party, questioning accusations that the opposition was hijacking the protest. “If we come out and they say the opposition has hijacked it, what is APC doing? Are they not hijacking? What are they afraid of? I thought they said they have 31 governors,” Amaechi stated.
According to him, public reaction remains the true measure of good leadership. “Tinubu is not Jonathan. The only way a good politician will know he has done well is by the people,” he added.
