Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Akpodoro, a former militant leader and Mayor of Urhoboland, has criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari and his Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for what he described as the “merciless plundering” of Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement, Akpodoro accused the duo of leaving behind an economic disaster that President Bola Tinubu is now working to repair.
Akpodoro, also the leader of the Urhobo Youths Forum for Change (UYFC), lambasted calls from former ministers for mass protests against Tinubu’s government, calling them hypocritical.
He asserted that the former officials, who were key figures in Buhari’s cabinet, had no moral authority to criticize Tinubu’s administration after presiding over Nigeria’s economic downfall.
Particularly targeting Amaechi, Akpodoro accused him of not only contributing to the country’s economic decay but also engaging in “political gerrymandering” that failed to benefit his native South-South region during his time in office.
Akpodoro warned that Amaechi and others seeking to undermine Tinubu’s reforms should be closely monitored, as their actions may destabilize national progress.
The ex-militant leader urged Nigerian youths to reject the calls for protests, stating that those responsible for the country’s economic woes should instead account for their time in power, rather than incite unrest.
“The former Minister of Transportation should rather tell us how the economy was plundered mercilessly under Buhari.
“He should tell us the progress made by his ministry under the same docile regime of recklessness and insecurity.
“The former Minister should tell his All Progressives Congress, APC, the roles he played with other party leaders that gave victory to Godwin Obaseki’s PDP in Edo State.
“We have a lot to tell him, and as time goes on, we shall expose him to the world,” the Mayor stated.