Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has criticized former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother.
Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, saying rising drug costs made it difficult for him to afford his mother’s medication.
“Tinubu’s policies killed my mother. Before Tinubu came, my mother was healthy. After 2023, it was difficult for me to buy drugs for my mother,” Amaechi said.
Responding on Saturday at an engagement with the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council in Ahoada, Rivers State, Wike questioned how Amaechi could have been unable to afford his mother’s treatment after holding several senior political positions.
Wike noted that Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, governor from 2007 to 2015, and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.
He also questioned why Amaechi did not seek financial assistance from family members or associates if the cost of his mother’s medication had become difficult to meet.
Wike further accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political discourse, referring to a statement attributed to the former governor that his mother would be happy if the ADC won the 2027 election.
“How can you bring a loved one who’s gone to bring in politics?” Wike asked, urging people to allow the deceased to rest.
Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89. She was buried in Ubima, Rivers State, on September 5, with several political figures, including ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in attendance.
The latest exchange adds to the long-running political dispute between Wike and Amaechi, who previously worked together before becoming political rivals.
