'My wife drives my backup car' – Amaechi insists he doesn’t like money

Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, has reiterated his long-standing claim that he is not driven by money, declaring that even his wife does not own a car.

In an interview with Daily Sun, Amaechi, who served in public office for nearly four decades, stated: “Are you not surprised that I have been in Nigerian politics from when I was 22 till now? I am 60. So, you are talking about 38 years of being in politics.”

Despite his lengthy political career, spanning roles as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor, and a federal minister, Amaechi insisted he has never been embroiled in corruption allegations.

“What scandals have you heard of me? Have you heard, ‘Oh, Amaechi stealing money’? Amaechi is this?” he asked rhetorically.

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Highlighting what he describes as a modest lifestyle, Amaechi revealed that his wife uses his backup car.

“As you entered here, did you see posh cars? My wife doesn’t even have a car. I have to provide my backup car. That is what she drives.

“It is not as if we can’t afford a car, but that is the way we live our life,” he said.

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Amaechi served as Minister of Transportation for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and played a prominent role in the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) historic 2015 electoral victory over the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He also contested the APC presidential primary in 2022, losing to eventual winner and current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The former minister’s remarks appear aimed at reinforcing his image as a politician untouched by corruption, a rare narrative in Nigeria’s often scandal-ridden political landscape.