Amaechi Reveals Why Obasanjo Allegedly Forced Him And His Family Out Of Nigeria

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the circumstances that led to his children receiving their education outside Nigeria.

Amaechi made the allegation during an interview with News Central Television on Friday, November 6, 2026, while recounting the political crisis surrounding his bid to become Rivers State governor in 2007.

The former minister claimed that Obasanjo attempted to prevent him from contesting the governorship election despite his victory in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary held in Rivers State in 2006.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Amaechi said the disagreement escalated after the former president allegedly threatened to have him arrested, forcing him to leave Nigeria while pursuing the matter through the courts.

He disclosed that he spent approximately 10 months outside the country during the crisis, adding that his wife and children also experienced significant difficulties as the family struggled to find a safe place to stay.

Amaechi explained that his family had to move between different houses during the period, a situation he said made it necessary for his children to attend school outside Nigeria to ensure their safety and continue their education.

Speaking during the interview, he said, “President Obasanjo tried to stop me from being a governor but you will see that I did not go to sleep, I went to court and when he threatened arrest, I left the country.

“My children did not go to Nigerian school because Obasanjo chased us out of Nigeria. My wife and children were running from one house to another. They had to go to school outside the country to stay alive and to keep learning.”

The ADC chieftain’s comments have brought renewed attention to the political dispute that surrounded his emergence as the PDP’s governorship candidate and the events that preceded his eventual election as Rivers State governor.