We Were Doing Lagos-Ibadan Rail, Osinbajo Said If You Complete This, We’ll Give You A Title–Amaechi

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has recounted an experience involving former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project, revealing that he was promised a traditional title if the project was successfully completed.

Amaechi shared the experience during an interview with News Central TV, where he discussed his involvement in the railway development and explained his decision to participate in the 2027 presidential contest.

Recounting the incident, the former Minister of Transportation said that even before construction work was completed, he began receiving invitations from different communities and traditional institutions asking him to accept traditional honours.

He explained that the invitations came from villagers and traditional rulers, including Obas, but he chose not to accept any of the titles offered to him.

Amaechi recalled that Osinbajo had earlier indicated that he would be honoured with a traditional title upon the successful completion of the railway project.

“When we were doing Lagos-Ibadan (railway). Professor Yemi Osibanjo said If you complete this, we will give you a title. Before I could complete it, I was getting letters from the villagers, the Obas, asking me to come for a title, and I declined.”

Beyond his recollection of the railway project, Amaechi also used the interview to explain his motivation for joining the 2027 presidential race.

He said his decision was driven by the desire to change the direction of the country and prevent Nigeria from moving towards further decline.

The former Rivers governor also expressed dissatisfaction with the economic policies introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the measures have increased the financial difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.

He maintained that attracting investors into the country would require more than government assurances, stressing the importance of creating wealth, improving national security and ensuring that citizens have sufficient purchasing power.

According to Amaechi, investors are unlikely to show strong interest in an economy where insecurity persists and a large proportion of the population struggles to afford basic goods and services.

He therefore emphasised that economic recovery must involve policies that improve security, expand opportunities and strengthen the financial capacity of Nigerians.

Watch the interview: The relevant section of Amaechi’s discussion on News Central TV runs from 38:40 to 39:40.

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