Nigeria: How Jonathan, Wife Chased Me Out of PDP - Amaechi

17 April 2026

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he was chased out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by then-President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan.

Amaechi spoke on Friday during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television breakfast programme.

"I was literally chased out of the PDP...the president, Goodluck and his wife, took over the political structure in Rivers State and forced me out. The same thing happened in APC," he said.

Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines

Amaechi claimed he faced injustice while being a member of the PDP and then in the APC, adding that he would never keep quiet in the face of wrong. The former Rivers State governor left the PDP in 2013 following his suspension for alleged anti-party activities. He left the APC in 2025, saying President Bola Tinubu could not govern Nigeria.

"I will never keep quiet in the face of injustice. When I speak up, they begin to plan to make me irrelevant," Amaechi added.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain also said he would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if the latter emerges as the ADC's presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

He noted that Atiku must consider age and capacity, even if he is qualified to contest for president.

"Although he is eminently qualified to be president of Nigeria, he has the right to contest. But he has to understand that there are other factors beyond where he comes from," Amaechi said.

He further dismissed the emphasis on zoning, arguing that competence, not geography, should determine who leads the country.

"I don't agree with north or south or any such divisions," he said.

"What I believe is that the most qualified candidates should be allowed to govern and be elected."

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.