A New Chapter for Rotimi Amaechi

Human life is like a line of interlinked chains, each one locked into the other. For Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State and immediate past Minister of Transportation, the latest link in his life implies a brilliant future. His political past may have suggested an insignificant end but Amaechi remained resilient.

It is not a rumour that Amaechi has been called to the bar. The clean-shaven Amaechi was among the 4,412 new lawyers who were recently admitted into the Nigerian Bar. Once a bullish figure, the political giant has gained wings with his new career. Additionally, considering the escapades of the past, Amaechi may have gotten just what he needs to climb back into Nigeria’s elite circles.

Always one for maximising opportunities, the former transport minister occupied a sizable part of the limelight with his achievement. At 58, he may not have been the oldest among the lawyers, but he is definitely the most high-profile.

Amaechi used to sit near the stools of political power in Nigeria. Before the 2023 presidential election, he amassed a huge following in his bid to be Nigeria’s president. Even though he was kicked out of the competition during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, he did well for himself but eventually faded from public view.

Perhaps he walks a different path from the administration under President Bola Tinubu, but Amaechi has not been rumoured to be on any appointment list. This report of his bar calling is the biggest thing he has done since his presidential aspiration melted into the shadows.

This signals a new chapter for Amaechi, one perhaps that will include courtrooms and lawyerly possibilities.