BREAKING: Buhari Told Me One Day ‘Amaechi, You Have Turned the Governors’ Forum into Labour Union – Amaechi

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Former Rivers State governor and former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has recalled a private remark allegedly made to him by former President Muhammadu Buhari during his tenure as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Amaechi made the disclosure during an interview on Arise News on Saturday May 23, 2026, where he was defending his record and political experience as a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on his leadership style as head of the Governors’ Forum, Amaechi referenced a moment of political tension in which the former president reportedly commented on the assertiveness of the governors under his coordination.

“The president then called me one day and said, ‘Amaechi, you have turned the Governors’ Forum into a labour union,’” he recalled.

Amaechi said the remark reflected the independence with which the governors operated at the time, insisting that his role was primarily to communicate collective decisions rather than impose personal positions.

“I said, ‘No sir, I’m just a public relations officer because your governor is a member, what the governors decide, I simply announce,’” he added.

The former minister used the anecdote to underscore what he described as his experience in managing complex political structures and coordinating leaders across party and regional divides.

Amaechi, who is seeking the ADC presidential ticket, remains one of several high-profile contenders positioning themselves for the opposition party’s 2027 primary.