Rotimi Amaechi Whose full name is Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is a Nigerian politician and a Lawyer. Amaechi was the former Governor of Rivers State and then later served as the federal minister of transportation in Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the President Muhammadu Buhari Government.
Amaechi is a Household name in the Nigerian Political Space.
Rotimi Amaechi Early Life
Amaechi was Born in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. His first and last names are Igbo meaning “God is strength or power” and “who knows tomorrow” respectively.
He was fully raised in Diobu, a popular neighborhood in Port Harcourt.
Rotimi Amaechi Age
Rotimi Amaechi was Born on 27th May 1965 into the family of the late Elder Fidelis Amaechi and Mary Amaechi.
Rotimi Amaechi Education
He attended St Theresa’s Primary School from 1970 to 1976. after his Primary education he moved to Government Secondary School Okolobiri, where he got his West African Senior School Certificate in 1982.
In 1987 Amaechi received a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) in English Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt, as at then he was the president of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS).
He completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps in 1988, and thereafter got employed at the Pamo Clinics and Hospitals Limited owned by Peter Odili, where he worked until 1992. He was also a director of several companies, including West Africa Glass Industry Limited and Risonpalm Nigeria Limited.
On the 19th November 2022, Amaechi announced on his Twitter handle that he is a certified graduate of law alongside pictures of his convocation.
SEE ALSO: Otelemaba Amachree Biography
Rotimi Amaechi Political Career
During the changeover to the Third Nigerian Republic, Amaechi was secretary of the National Republican Convention in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In 1992 and 1994, he was a special assistant to the then deputy governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, Odili believed in Amaechi as a young man with potential in politics, and brought him under his tutelage.
In 1996, he became the Rivers State’s secretary of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) caretaker committee during the transition programme of General Sani Abacha.
Rivers State House of Assembly (1999–2007)
In 1999, Amaechi contested and won a seat to become a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly to represent his constituency.
He was later elected speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Amaechi was elected chairman of Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies.
In May 2003, he was re-elected speaker. That same year the National Assembly moved to hijack the legislative functions of the State House of Assembly as enshrined in the constitution, he and his colleagues took the matter to the Supreme Court.
As speaker, Amaechi used his close working relationship with Governor Peter Odili to increase the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State, until he launched a campaign against the state government, and verbally attacked the image of the state governor, in an effort to succeed Odili as governor in 2007.
Governor of Rivers State (2007)
In 2007, Amaechi contested and won the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primary for Rivers State Governor in 2007. After the primaries Amaechi’s name was substituted by the party, an action which he challenged in court.
After series of court cases, the case got to The Supreme Court of Nigeria. He was later sworn in as governor of the State on the 26th October 2007, after the Supreme Court ruled that he was the rightful candidate of the PDP and winner of the April 2007 governorship election in Rivers State.
His administration invested so much in infrastructure development, construction of roads and bridges, sticking to the vision of connecting all parts of the state by road. The governor was also committed to urban renewal and modernization of transportation services. His administration began building a monorail to provide mass transportation within the city of Port Harcourt. Some power plant projects which includes the (Afam, Trans Amadi, Onne) were also built to improve power supply in the State.
Amaechi was re-elected for a second term on 26 April 2011. After his issue with the then “President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan”, Ameachi decided to form a factional group in the PDP against the president, He named it G-7. Which includes 6 other state governors within the PDP In August 2013.
And In November 2013, Amaechi alongside five members of the G-7 defected to the new opposition party the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he became the director general of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign.
Minister of Transportation
After the Presidential Election In 2015, Buhari Appointed Amaechi as the Federal Minister of transportation.
In July 2019, he was re-nominated for ministerial appointment by President Buhari. Without stress Amaechi was asked to take a bow and go during his screening by the Senate.
Rotimi Amaechi Personal Life
He’s happily married to Judith Amaechi and they have three boys. He is a Catholic and a Knight of the order of Saint John (KSJ).
In commemoration of his 56th birthday on the 27th May 2021, Ameachi released a song titled “Blessed The People The Lord Has Chosen As His Heritage” he featured his wife, Judith Ameachi.
Awards and nominations
Amaechi holds the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Rotimi Amaechi Networth
Amended is said to be the 7th richest Nigerian politician. He’s worth over $780 Million
Life Summary
Real name |
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi |
Date of birth |
27th May 1965 |
Country of Origin |
Federal Republic of Nigeria |
Source of Wealth |
Politician |
Net worth |
$780 Million |
Wife |
Judith Amaechi |
Children |
Chimkamkpa Amaechi, Lemchi Amaechi, Obinna Amaechi |
Previous offices |
Frm Speaker Of the Rivers State House Of Assembly (1999). Governor of Rivers State (2007 – 2014). Minister of Transportation of Nigeria (2015–2022). |
Social Media Handles
As at the time of writing this article, he currently has over 4k followers on Instagram and 75k on Facebook.
- Instagram: @officialchibuikeamaechi
- Twitter: @ChibuikeAmaechi
- Facebook: ChibuikeRAmaechi
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