The APC Diaspora Media Group, a support group of the All Progressives Congress, has called on Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, to apologise to the people of Edo State over his controversial “Mad” remark concerning voters who support President Bola Tinubu.
The group accused Amaechi of displaying self-centred political tendencies, alleging that his ambition for power and personal interests had impaired his ability to reason objectively. It maintained that his statement was inappropriate and could undermine the ADC’s political fortunes in Edo State and other parts of the country.
Amaechi reportedly made the remark during a town hall meeting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, where he said, “If Edo people vote for Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad. If you are not mad, Tinubu should not win here.”
Reacting to the statement, the APC support group argued that the former governor’s comments could further weaken the ADC’s electoral prospects in Edo State and other states across the country. It urged residents of Edo State not to regard the opposition party as the political platform capable of providing solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
The group’s coordinator, Monday Eghosa Ohuimumwen, made the call in a statement issued to journalists in Benin City. Ohuimumwen, who is also a member of the APC New Media Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), defended the Tinubu administration, insisting that its policies and programmes had put Nigeria on a path towards progress.
He cited the direct transfer of funds to poor Nigerians, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative for students, Credicorp’s credit-access programme, and the floating of the naira as examples of measures introduced under the current administration. According to him, these initiatives demonstrate the government’s efforts to improve the welfare and economic opportunities of Nigerians.
Speaking on Amaechi’s comments, Ohuimumwen said, “It is only a mad man that knows what another mad man can do. Rotimi Amaechi was in Edo to spew nonsense instead of telling the people what the ADC will do differently.
“Edo electorates are happy with the APC as led by Governor Monday Okpebholo in Edo State as well as President Tinubu. Okpebholo has demonstrated practical governance and made good use of the resources provided by Tinubu.
“We are cautioning the ADC to campaign on issues and tell the people what they will do instead of spewing insults. Tinubu will win Edo State with a large margin. Edo people have agreed to re-elect Tinubu”
