ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has described his wife, Judith, as the “backbone” of their family and dismissed scrutiny over her business dealings, saying her entrepreneurial spirit long predates his time in public office.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Amaechi was asked to clarify the source of his wealth — a question that has often shadowed prominent figures in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In response, he credited his wife’s industriousness as central to their household’s financial strength.
“My wife is almost an industrialist; my wife buys and sells anything — apart from myself and my children. She’s the backbone of the family,” Amaechi said.
“She’s a bloody trader, she’s from Anambra. Even as governor, my wife was selling inside government house. So don’t ask me that question.”
Amaechi, who governed Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, said critics often fail to appreciate his wife’s entrepreneurial background and resilience.
He suggested that scrutiny of her ventures is rooted in a misunderstanding of her personal capacity and cultural heritage.
During the interview, Amaechi also reflected on his tenure as governor, highlighting a range of grassroots development initiatives that focused on education and job creation.
“Did you see that I built primary schools in every village — primary schools that had computers, that had either generators or solar panels?” he said.
“That I employed 13,200 teachers that my successor almost dismissed. I also established farms to create employment. We held town hall meetings in virtually every village in Rivers State.”
He added that his government prioritised inclusive development and direct engagement with rural communities as part of a broader effort to address poverty and inequality.
Amaechi’s remarks come as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition continues to attract national attention.
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, the former minister declared his willingness to serve only one term if he secures the ADC’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections, citing his commitment to rotational presidency and national stability.
The ADC coalition has drawn both support and criticism in recent weeks, particularly from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which has labelled its leaders as “desperate politicians” seeking relevance.
