When I Say I Won’t St£al, 80% Of The Time, I’m Serious — Rotimi Amaechi

Speaking on the podcast of Chude Jideonwo, former Rivers governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi described himself as “the simplest politician you can meet in Nigeria,” saying people are often surprised by how ordinary he lives.

“When I say I won’t steal money, 80% of the time, I’m serious,” Amaechi said during the interview.

When Chude immediately asked what happens during the remaining 20%, Amaechi responded that transparency in public office is complicated, adding that politicians often benefit from the influence of their positions even without directly taking government money.

“You really need to swear to God. Have you knowingly gone to take people’s money? No. But some of the things you have, you really have to say the office would have helped you to influence it,” he said.

Amaechi gave an example of how public office can open financial doors unavailable to ordinary citizens.

“So, you want to take a loan? There are a lot of loans available for some of us to take. If you weren’t governor, they won’t give you,” he said.

The former minister also revealed that he was once advised to take commissions from huge government transactions while in office.

According to him, he was told that taking 10% from a ₦3 trillion transaction could have earned him ₦300 billion.

“I remember that they came and told me that if I took 10% of the ₦3 trillion, it would be ₦300 billion,” he said.

Amaechi added that Nigeria’s worsening pov£ray was deliberately caused by politicians.

“The politicians have deliberately impoverished Nigerians and misled Nigerians in such a way that they make you think the way they want you to think,” he stated.

Source: Instablog

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