Renowned Nigerian author and Nobel Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, has praised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his bold stance during the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, where he refused to withdraw in favor of now-President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at Amaechi’s 60th birthday celebration, Soyinka commended the former Rivers State governor (2007–2015) for showing remarkable resolve during the party’s internal contest.

“The main reason I came today is because I deeply admire Rotimi Amaechi’s fighting spirit,” Soyinka said.

Reflecting on the primary, which he watched live from Abu Dhabi, the renowned playwright described Amaechi’s resistance as a memorable moment.

“I wanted to witness the drama of the primaries, and I’m glad I did,” he said. “It gave me — I’ll admit — a rather mischievous satisfaction to see the current president experience a reversal of roles.” Soyinka recalled Tinubu’s past defiance during an earlier administration’s alleged attempt to extend presidential tenure beyond constitutional limits.

“He [Tinubu] was once the lone figure standing against a president trying to amend the constitution for a third term — someone who systematically undermined the autonomy of Nigeria’s federal units by cutting off their allocations,” Soyinka stated.

“At that time, Tinubu stood firm while others gave in. But during the APC primary, it was Amaechi who gave Tinubu a similar treatment — refusing to back down while many others conceded.” While most were quick to step aside, one man stood his ground and declared, ‘I didn’t come here to fall flat.’ That man was Rotimi Amaechi — and that, to me, is the true spirit of democracy.

In the 2022 APC presidential primary, Tinubu secured 1,271 votes, defeating 13 other contenders. Amaechi came second with 316 votes, while then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo placed third with 235 votes.