Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has said that Nigerians get what they deserve because they always have an opportunity to vote.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Saturday, the former Rivers State Governor also stated that the country is a land of opportunities and encouraged citizens to stay back rather than emigrate.
“Nigerians get what they want, Nigerians get what they deserve. You don’t complain after. Nigerians at all times have had the opportunity to vote and whatever you voted for is what you deserve.
“I’ve always discouraged the people who want to leave the country. I say, if you want a 9 to 5, yes you can always get that when you leave the country, but you can never get the opportunity we have in Nigeria. You can just wake up one day, you become a minister and you can just wake up one day and you become a governor. It just happens. So, if you are looking for opportunities, please stay back in Nigeria but if you are looking for a 9 to 5, then you can go.”
Amaechi stated that his fear of God stands him out from among other elites and politicians in the country.
“The difference between me and most Nigerian elites is that I say things the way it is and I say it unknowingly. It is the way God has brought me up and I will tell you the truth even if you put a gun on my head. I’ve always believed that the reason I acquired that character is because of my fear of God. I’ve always believed that I should go to heaven and one way to do that is to be honest with mankind and with yourself.
“When you are wrong, you say you are sorry. I choose to be honest all my life. I don’t want to be politically correct and if diplomacy means lying, then I won’t lie. The best or worst you can get of me at that particular time is to walk away from that place instead of lying.
He further advised young people in Nigeria to push their way through to get into a place of decision making especially regarding the economy of Nigeria, adding the need to expand it for more persons to come in.
“The problem we have in Nigeria is that the moment you have that opportunity, you don’t want to expand that economy to allow more people to come in. The reason we have crime is because the economy is too small and would not be able to accommodate everybody. If all of us start working in Shell now, there would be no time to go and rob or kill because you leave at 6am and by the time you come back at 6pm, you will be tired, so, my advice to them is to get your degree if you can and if you can’t, well, I am lucky.”
When asked if he was done with his political career, the former Rivers governor refused to give a response.