View source for Rotimi Amaechi

{{Short description|Nigerian politician (born 1965)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Chibuike Amaechi
| honorific_prefix    = [[Right Honourable]]
| honorific_suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=NG|CON|size=100%}}
| image               = Chibuike Amaechi (cropped).jpg
| image_size          = 
| alt                 = 
| caption             = 
| office              = [[Federal Ministries of Nigeria|Minister of Transportation]]
| term_start          = 21 August 2019
| term_end            = 16 May 2022
| president           = [[Muhammadu Buhari]]
| predecessor         = ''himself''
| successor           = [[Mu'azu Jaji Sambo]]
| term_start1         = 11 November 2015
| term_end1           = 28 May 2019
| president1          = Muhammadu Buhari
| predecessor1        = [[Audu Idris Umar]]
| successor1          = ''himself''
| office2             = [[Governor of Rivers State]]
| term_start2         = 25 October 2007
| term_end2           = 29 May 2015
| deputy2             = [[Tele Ikuru]]
| predecessor2        = [[Celestine Omehia]]
| successor2          = [[Ezenwo Nyesom Wike]]
| office3             = [[Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly]]
| term_start3         = 2 June 1999
| term_end3           = 4 June 2007
| deputy3             = 
| predecessor3        = 
| successor3          = 
| birth_name          = Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1965|5|27|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Ikwerre, Rivers|Ikwerre]], [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern Region]] (now in [[Rivers State]]), Nigeria
| nationality         = [[Nigeria]]n
| party               = [[All Progressives Congress]] (2014–present)
| otherparty          = [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]] (1999–2014)
| spouse              = [[Judith Amaechi]]
| children            = 3
| parents             = 
| relations           = 
| residence           = 
| alma_mater          = {{plainlist|
* [[University of Port Harcourt]]
* [[Nigerian Law School]]
* [[King's College London]]}}
| education           = {{plainlist|
* [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts (Honours)]] in [[English Literature]]
* [[Bachelor of Laws|Bachelor of Laws (Honours)]]}}
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|lawyer}}
| profession          = 
| website             = 
| footnotes           = 
}}
'''Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi''' {{post-nominals|country=NG|CON}} (born 27 May 1965) is a [[Nigerian]] [[politician]], who served as the federal minister of transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the administration of President [[Muhammadu Buhari]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-05|title=Buhari Congratulates Amaechi, Danu On Daura chieftaincy titles|url=https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-congratulates-amaechi-danu-on-daura-chieftaincy-titles/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}</ref> He resigned to contest for Nigeria's presidency under the governing [[All Progressive Congress]] (APC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amaechi resigns as minister, seeks Buhari's support |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/530473-amaechi-resigns-as-minister-seeks-buharis-support.html |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Premium Times Nigeria}}</ref> He had previously served as [[Governor of Rivers State|governor]] of oil-rich [[Rivers State]], from 2007 to 2015 and earlier, as [[speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly]] from 1999 to 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Governor of Rivers State|url=http://chibuikerotimiamaechi.com/issue/governor-rivers-state|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi|language=en-US}}</ref> On 9 April 2022, Amaechi declared interest to contest in the presidential election in 2023. He polled second position in the APC presidential primaries held in June 2022 behind eventual president [[Bola Tinubu]] with 316 delegate votes against Tinubu's 1271 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-09 |title=JUST IN: Amaechi declares presidential ambition |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/just-in-amaechi-officially-declares-presidential-ambition/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Background==
Amaechi was born in [[List of villages in Rivers State|Ubima]] Community, [[Ikwerre, Rivers State|Ikwerre]] Local Government Area of Rivers State to the family of the late Elder Fidelis Amaechi and Mary Amaechi. His first and last names are Igbo meaning “God is strength or power” and “who knows tomorrow” respectively.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ukpong|first=Michael|title=Igbo Culture and Gospel|date=11 December 2015|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|page=115|isbn=978-3643905291}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Okoroike|first=Columbus|title=Igbos of Nigeria and Their Cultural Ways:Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes, Customs, Language and Social Life|date=2009|publisher=iUniverse|page=171|isbn=978-0595621408}}</ref> He was raised in [[Diobu, Port Harcourt|Diobu]], a densely populated neighbourhood in [[Port Harcourt]].<ref name="Amaechi Ph boy">{{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/the-story-of-port-harcourt-city/| title=The story of Port Harcourt city| date=18 November 2013|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguardngr.com]]| publisher=[[Vanguard Media]]|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/10/2015-and-rivers-banana-politics/|title=2015 and Rivers' banana politics|last=Abia|first=Daniel|newspaper=[[The Daily Independent (Lagos)|Daily Independent]]|access-date=2014-05-25|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195943/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/10/2015-and-rivers-banana-politics/|archive-date=2014-05-25}}</ref>

Amaechi had his primary education at St. Theresa's Primary School from 1970 to 1976. He later earned his West African Senior School Certificate in 1982 from Government Secondary School, Okolobiri. Amaechi received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree (Honours) in [[English Studies]] and [[Literature]] from the [[University of Port Harcourt]] in 1987, where he was the president of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS).

He completed the mandatory [[National Youth Service Corps]] (NYSC) in 1988, and thereafter joined Pamo Clinics and Hospitals Limited owned by [[Peter Odili]], where he worked until 1992. He was also a director of several companies, including West Africa Glass Industry Limited and Risonpalm Nigeria Limited.

==Early political career==
During the transition to the [[Third Nigerian Republic]], Amaechi was secretary of the [[National Republican Convention]] in [[Ikwerre, Rivers|Ikwerre]] Local Government Area of Rivers State. Between 1992 and 1994, he was special assistant to the deputy governor of Rivers State, [[Peter Odili]], his boss believed in Amaechi as a young man with potential in politics and brought him under his wing. In 1996, he was the Rivers State's secretary of the [[Democratic Party of Nigeria]] (DPN) caretaker committee during the transition programme of General [[Sani Abacha]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Admin|title=#OBFocus! Rotimi Amaechi- Honorable Minister for Transportation, Federal Republic of Nigeria|url=http://onobello.com/obfocus-rotimi-amaechi-honorable-minister-for-transportation-federal-republic-of-nigeria/|access-date=28 January 2019|website=Onebello}}</ref>

== Rivers State House of Assembly (1999–2007) ==
{{further|4th Rivers State House of Assembly|5th Rivers State House of Assembly}}
In 1999, he contested and won a seat to become a member of the [[Rivers State House of Assembly]] to represent his constituency. He was subsequently elected [[Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly|speaker of the House of Assembly]]. Amaechi was elected chairman of Nigeria's Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies. In May 2003, he was re-elected speaker. In 2003, when the [[National Assembly (Nigeria)|National Assembly]] moved to hijack the legislative functions of the [[House of Assembly|State House of Assembly]] as enshrined in the constitution, he and his colleagues took the matter to the [[Supreme Court of Nigeria|Supreme Court]].

As speaker, Amaechi used his close working relationship with Governor [[Peter Odili]] to increase the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State, until he launched a campaign against the state government, and verbally attacked the image of the state governor, in an effort to succeed Odili as governor in 2007.

==Governor of Rivers State==
In 2007, Amaechi contested and won the [[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]] (PDP) primary for Rivers State Governor in 2007. His name was substituted by the party, an action which he challenged in court. The case eventually got to the Supreme Court. He became governor on 26 October 2007, after the Supreme Court ruled that he was the rightful candidate of the PDP and winner of the April 2007 governorship election in Rivers State.

His administration invested in infrastructure development, construction of roads and bridges, sticking to the vision of connecting all parts of the state by road. The governor was also committed to urban renewal and modernization of transportation services. His administration began building a monorail to provide mass transportation within the city of Port Harcourt.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Governor of Rivers State|url=http://chibuikerotimiamaechi.com/issue/governor-rivers-state|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi|language=en-US}}</ref> Some power plant projects ([[TransAfam Power|Afam]], [[Trans Amadi]], [[Onne]]) were also built to improve power supply in the State.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Edozie|first1=Victor|title=Rivers' Multi-billion Naira Power Project Rots Away|url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/rivers-multi-billion-naira-power-project-rots-away-261008.html|access-date=28 January 2019|website=Daily Trust}}</ref>

He was re-elected for a second term on 26 April 2011. In August 2013, Amaechi was amongst seven serving governors who formed the G-7 faction within the PDP. In November 2013, Amaechi alongside five members of the G-7 defected to the new opposition party the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC) where he became the director general of Muhammadu Buhari's presidential campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-20|title=Buhari Reappoints Amaechi Campaign DG|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/09/20/buhari-reappoints-amaechi-campaign-dg/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=THISDAYLIVE|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Minister of Transportation ==
In 2015, following Buhari's election, Amaechi was appointed to his cabinet as federal minister of transportation. In July 2019, he was re-nominated for ministerial appointment by President Buhari.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full list of Buhari's ministerial nominees|url=https://punchng.com/full-list-of-buharis-ministers-sent-to-senate/|access-date=2019-08-27|website=Punch Newspapers|date=23 July 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> Amaechi was asked to take a bow and go during his screening by the Senate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amaechi, Akpabio, Four Others 'Take A Bow' As Senate Screens Ministerial Nominees|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2019/07/24/amaechi-akpabio-four-others-take-a-bow-as-senate-screens-ministerial-nominees/|access-date=2019-08-27|website=Channels Television|date=24 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ngige, Amaechi, Sirika, others retain portfolios|url=https://punchng.com/ngige-amaechi-sirika-others-retain-portfolios/|access-date=2019-08-27|website=Punch Newspapers|date=21 August 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Major Achievements as Minister of Transportation ==
* 326KM Warri - Itakpe Standard Gauge Rail line.
* 157KM Lagos - Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line.
*  Extension of 8.72KM Lagos - Ibadan Rail line to Lagos port complex to create port efficiency.
*  Construction of 790KM segment 3 of Ibadan - Ilorin - Minna - Kano Rail line.
*  186KM Abuja - Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail line.
*  284KM Kano - Maradi Standard, with 103km branch line to Kano - Dutse, Ground breaking.
*  Rehabilitation of 1178km Port-Harcourt - Maiduguri narrow Gauge Rail line.
*  Transport University in Daura, Katsina State.
*  Establishment of Kajola Wagon Assembly Plant.
*  E - Ticketing on Abuja - Ibadan Route.
*  Training of Engineers in China to Localise Technology.
*  Rehabilitation of Railway Village Agbor. 
*  Construction of Railway Ancillary facility yard in Agbor. 
*  18 new wagons delivery of narrow gauge line Lagos - Kano
*  150 qualified Nigerians given full international scholarship to undergraduate and graduate courses in China.
*  50 Engineers trained for Railway infrastructure development of standard gauge railway modernization.
*  23 officers for resident understudy training in China for maintenance of the new rolling stocks.
*  11,300 jobs created from the on-going rail modernization projects.
*   377 wagons, 64 coaches, 21 locomotive purchased including DMU.
*  32 train stations constructed in the three standard gauge routes.
*  Construction of Rail line at the Kaduna Inland Dry Port to evacuate cargoes.
*  Warri - Itakpe Train Service Commences haulage with 16 wagons of 96 NNPC gas pipes.
*  Total sum of ₦460,464,002,77 was paid into the escrow account from revenue received from Abuja - Kaduna train services to repay the loan.
*  Offa - Kano - Offa - Train Moving 2,000 passengers on a week.
*  Rehabilitation of 41km of road network with 50 number of culvert.
*  Commissioning of the North - West zonal coordinating office complex by the Nigerian Shippers Council.
*  Establishment of container loading and off-loading points along the railway tract at Ebute - Metta, Ijoko and Omi - Adio in Ibadan.
*  Granting of Incentive to vessels on Harbour dues for the use of Eastern Port.
*  Commissioning of Nigerian Shippers Council zonal office in Jos.
*  Repossession of the Calabar port harbour village village which has been a subject of litigation for several years.
*  Bonny Deep Seaport Project.
*  Industrial Park in Port Harcourt.
*  Construction of Lekki, Deep Seaport.
*  Commissioning of Kaduna Inland Dry Port.
*  Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano.
*  Proposed Establishment of Maritime Bank, to develop the maritime sector in West Africa
*   Restructuring of Maritime Academy of Nigeria to meet international standard, with international certification from UK.
*   Building of faculties and purchase of simulators for first han training for cadets.
*  Sponsorship of 400 cadets securing sea time berths of cadets trained under the Nigeria seafarers development programme.
*  NIMASA secured sea time berths for over 550 cadets in various countries with issuance of CoC in 2020.
*  Conversion of Lilly pond container terminal to a vehicle transit area for ease of cargo evacuation.
*  Introduction of electronic Call - Up system by NPA to substantially address the problem of traffic gridlock using technology in Lagos ports.
*  Ministry of transportation partners with Lagos State Government on defacing of the marina.
*  Commissioning of six new Tugboat by NPA.
*  Reconstruction of Wharf Road Apapa that was abandoned for over 10 years.
*  Commissioning of the Port training institute and simulator facilities to boost human capacity development by NPA.
*   First transport minister to visit NITT after 20 years by Governing Council.
*  Completion of Jetty Construction at Yenagoa. 
*  Construction of Boat Terminal in Kogi and Adamawa State.
*  Rehabilitation of Control Towers in Delta, Lagos, and TinCan Island Port.
*  Ending of 10 years legal tussle between NIWA and Lagos State Government.
*  Modular floating Dock by NPA.
*  Purchase of 17 special mission vessels 2 special mission Aircraft and 3 Helicopters for Deep Blue Project.
*  Nigeria receives the largest container vessel ever to berths at Onne Port.

==Corruption allegations==
Since leaving office in 2015, Amaechi has been the subject of corruption allegations by his successor [[Nyesom Wike]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-30|title=Amaechi fires back: Wike corrupt; I won't appear before his commission|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/amaechi-fires-back-wike-also-corrupt-i-wont-appear-before-his-commission/|access-date=2020-07-15|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}</ref> Wike accused him of using state funds to finance President [[Muhammadu Buhari]]'s campaign during the [[2015 Nigerian general election|2015 presidential election]] through the sale of Rivers state-owned oil and gas assets,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ukpong|first=Cletus|date=2017-07-31|title=We have overwhelming evidence of corruption against Amaechi, says Wike {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/238751-overwhelming-evidence-corruption-amaechi-says-wike.html|access-date=2020-07-15|language=en-GB}}</ref> and fraudulently misappropriating the proceeds of the sale amounting to US$309 million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ukpong|first=Cletus|date=2017-07-31|title=We have overwhelming evidence of corruption against Amaechi, says Wike {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/238751-overwhelming-evidence-corruption-amaechi-says-wike.html|access-date=2020-07-15|language=en-GB}}</ref> Amaechi has persistently denied the allegations against him.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Opejobi|first=Seun|date=2017-04-30|title=I'm not corrupt, don't like money - Amaechi [VIDEO]|url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/04/30/im-not-corrupt-dont-like-money-amaechi-video/|access-date=2020-07-15|website=Daily Post Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, he acknowledged that despite [[Buhari's anti-corruption war]] corruption still exists within the administration.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-16|title=Amaechi: I'd be foolish to say there's no corruption under Buhari|url=https://www.thecable.ng/ill-foolish-say-theres-no-corruption-govt-says-amaechi|access-date=2020-07-15|website=TheCable|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
===Controversy over fraud again in 2022===
In May 2022, the [[Supreme Court of Nigeria]] granted the Rivers State panel of enquiry to probe Amaechi over an alleged ₦96 billion fraud.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://newswirengr.com/2022/05/27/supreme-court-gives-go-ahead-for-the-probe-of-rotimi-amaechi-on-alleged-n96-billion-fraud/|date= 27 May 2022 |accessdate= 7 November 2022 |title=Supreme Court gives go ahead for the probe of Rotimi Amaechi on alleged N96 billion fraud|last=Taiwo |first= Jide|publisher=NewsWireNGR}}</ref>

==Personal life==
He is married to [[Judith Amaechi]] and they have three boys.<ref>{{cite news|date=15 December 2020|title=Encomium trails Dame Judith Amaechi @ 50|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/encomium-trails-dame-judith-amaechi-50/|access-date=23 February 2022|work=Vanguard}}</ref> He is a Catholic and a Knight of the order of Saint John (KSJ).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/08/21/new-catholic-honour-tasks-amaechi-to-hit-the-mark/|title=New Catholic Honour Tasks Amaechi to Hit the Mark|work=[[This Day]]|date=21 August 2019|access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rotimi Amaechi Gets Highest Catholic Knights Promotion|url=https://wazobiainfos.com/rotimi-amaechi-gets-highest-catholic-knights-promotion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819174347/https://wazobiainfos.com/rotimi-amaechi-gets-highest-catholic-knights-promotion/|archive-date=19 August 2021|url-status=dead|access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref>

On 27 May 2021, Amaechi released his debut single titled 'Blessed The People The Lord Has Chosen As His Heritage' in collaboration with his wife, Judith in commemoration of his 56th birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dripnaija.com/hon-rotimi-amaechi-family-blessed-the-people/|title=Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi & Family – Blessed The People The Lord Has Chosen As His Heritage|date=27 May 2021|website=Dripnaija|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601054825/https://dripnaija.com/hon-rotimi-amaechi-family-blessed-the-people/|archive-date=1 June 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 19 November 2022, Amaechi announced on his Twitter handle that he is now a certified graduate of law alongside pictures of his convocation.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 November 2022|title=Amaechi graduates with law degree|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/566405-amaechi-graduates-with-law-degree.html|access-date=29 August 2024|work=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref>

== Awards ==
Amaechi holds the national honour of [[Commander of the Order of the Niger]] (CON).{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

==See also==
*[[List of people from Rivers State]]
*[[List of governors of Rivers State]]
*[[Cabinet of Nigeria]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140607032403/http://governor.riversstate.gov.ng/about/the-governor/ Profile of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi], Governor of Rivers State.
*[http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/2590/ Who's Who: Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi], ''Africa Confidential''
*{{cite web
 |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7365455.html
 |title=Ruling party leads in Nigerian governorship elections
 |work=People's Daily
 |date=29 April 2011
 |access-date=29 April 2011}}

{{RiversStateGovernors}}
{{Nigerian state governors 2007-2011 term}}
{{Nigerian state governors 2011-2015 term}}
{{Rivers State People's Democratic Party}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amaechi, Rotimi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Governors of Rivers State]]
[[Category:People from Ikwerre (local government area)]]
[[Category:Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party politicians]]
[[Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni]]
[[Category:People from Port Harcourt]]
[[Category:All Progressives Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party state governors of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly]]
[[Category:Ikwerre people]]
[[Category:Nigerian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the Niger]]
[[Category:Transport ministers of Nigeria]]