Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, were responsible for his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Amaechi made the claim on Friday, April 17, during an interview on Channels Television, where he recounted the circumstances that led to his departure from the party in 2013.
According to him, the former president and first lady took control of the PDP’s political structure in Rivers State, leaving him with no choice but to leave.
“The country knew what happened. I was literally chased out of the PDP,” Amaechi said during the interview.
When asked directly who was responsible for his exit, the former Rivers State governor did not mince words.
“The president, with his wife,” he said. “They took over the political structure in Rivers State and chased me out. The president, Goodluck, and his wife handed over the structure to other people, so I moved.”
Amaechi’s comments revisit a long-standing political rift that played a significant role in the realignment of Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2015 general elections.
He was suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2013 over allegations of anti-party activities, a move widely seen at the time as part of internal power struggles within the party.
Following his suspension, Amaechi became a leading figure in the breakaway faction known as the “new PDP” (nPDP), which later aligned with other opposition groups to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition played a crucial role in the historic 2015 election, which saw Jonathan lose his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. Buhari subsequently served two terms in office from 2015 to 2023.
Amaechi, who later served as Minister of Transportation under Buhari’s administration, is currently a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he remains an influential voice in opposition politics.
His latest remarks are likely to reignite debates over the internal dynamics of the PDP during Jonathan’s administration, particularly in Rivers State, which has historically been a key political stronghold.
Political analysts note that Amaechi’s account reflects the deep divisions that existed within the PDP at the time, divisions that ultimately contributed to the party’s loss of power at the federal level in 2015.
While neither Jonathan nor his wife has publicly responded to the latest allegations, the claims add to the ongoing political discourse as key actors continue to revisit past events ahead of future elections.
The comments also come amid increasing political realignments and positioning by major stakeholders as Nigeria gradually builds toward the 2027 general elections, with former and current political leaders seeking to shape narratives and influence public opinion.
