Wike Challenges Amaechi’s Claim Linking Mother’s Death to Tinubu Policies
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother.
Wike questioned Amaechi’s assertion that the rising cost of medication made it difficult for him to afford the drugs needed by his late mother, describing the claim as an attempt to introduce a personal tragedy into political arguments.
Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
He said his mother had been healthy before Tinubu assumed office in 2023 but that the rising cost of medicines subsequently made it difficult for him to continue providing her medication.
Responding on Saturday while addressing members of the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike questioned how Amaechi, given his years in public office, could have been unable to afford his mother’s medication.
Wike recalled that Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, governor of the state from 2007 to 2015 and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.
He said: “Again, you said it was Tinubu that killed his mother. It was Tinubu’s administration that led to not being able to buy drugs for his mother.
“This one, a speaker for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. This one, a governor for eight years, from 2007 to 2015. This one, a minister for eight years, from 2015 to 2023.
“And your mother was sick, and you are telling the whole world that because of the policy of Tinubu, you couldn’t buy drugs for your mother, and so your mother died.”
Read Also:
The FCT minister also questioned whether Amaechi’s family and associates could not have provided assistance towards his mother’s medical expenses.
“Yet, an industrialist couldn’t give you money to buy drug for your mother,” Wike said, referring to Amaechi’s wife.
He also questioned why, according to his account, Amaechi’s wealthy associates could not have assisted while his mother was receiving treatment rather than attending her burial after her death.
Wike further criticised Amaechi for bringing his late mother into political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election.
He referred to a video in which Amaechi reportedly said his mother would be happy if the ADC won the election.
“In one of his videos, he said if ADC wins election, his mother will be very happy. So, the only condition is that his mother will not be happy if ADC does not win,” Wike said.
He added: “How can you bring a loved one who’s gone to bring in politics?”
Wike urged politicians and members of the public to allow the deceased to rest, while praying for the repose of Amaechi’s mother.
“But all of us should pray that the old woman who died would have rest, would have peace with her Creator,” he said.
Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026. Reports on her burial said she was laid to rest in Ubima, Rivers State, in September.
The exchange adds to the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who both previously held senior political positions in Rivers State before becoming political opponents.
Amaechi’s original claim centred on the wider impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly rising healthcare costs. He argued that the difficulty of purchasing medicines was part of the broader hardship confronting Nigerian households.
Wike’s response, however, focused on Amaechi’s personal circumstances and his decision to connect his mother’s death with the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.
, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim){kind=link}