SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has sparked fresh debate over Nigeria’s economic situation after claiming that many Nigerians now miss the late former President Muhammadu Buhari because life was better during his administration.
Amaechi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, where he challenged Nigerians to compare their living conditions under Buhari with what they are currently experiencing under President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the rising cost of living, increasing fuel prices, and pressure on the naira have made many Nigerians look back at the Buhari years with a sense of nostalgia.
Amaechi recalled that Buhari had once predicted that Nigerians would eventually appreciate his leadership after leaving office, arguing that the former president’s prediction appears to be coming true.
“I always like to quote the former president, Buhari. He will say, ‘People will call me back.’ Nigerians will say, ‘We miss former President Buhari’; are they not saying that now?” he said.
To support his argument, Amaechi pointed to the exchange rate and fuel prices, claiming that the dollar was around N600 and petrol sold for less than N300 per liter when the Buhari administration left office in May 2023.
He also questioned the scale of alleged corruption under the current administration, describing what he believes is happening as far worse than anything witnessed under Buhari.
“The stealing in Buhari’s government—if there was stealing in Buhari’s government, can you compare it to what is going on now? What is going on now is what I call ‘Alibaba and the 40 thieves,'” Amaechi stated.
However, his comments raise a bigger question about how Nigerians measure good leadership: Is it simply about how much things cost, or should the conversation also include purchasing power, employment, security, public debt, and the overall quality of life?
While fuel and foreign exchange prices were significantly lower when Buhari left office, his administration was also marked by economic hardship, high inflation, insecurity, and widespread criticism over its handling of the economy.
Tinubu’s removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms have also significantly increased economic pressures on households, although the government has repeatedly defended the policies as necessary long-term reforms.
Amaechi was also asked whether some of the challenges confronting the Tinubu administration were inherited from decisions made under Buhari, particularly his refusal to remove the fuel subsidy.
He dismissed the suggestion, challenging the interviewer to identify a specific example.
“Name one,” he replied.
His remarks have once again brought the contrasting economic experiences under Buhari and Tinubu into the political conversation, with the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis likely to remain a major issue ahead of the next general election.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
