The Vice Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has clarified his recent remarks blaming the Tinubu administration for the death of his mother, saying she represented millions of poor Nigerian women struggling with economic hardship.
Amaechi made the clarification on Wednesday at a town hall meeting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, where he criticised the rising cost of living and called for political change ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Key Highlights
- Rotimi Amaechi says his late mother symbolised poor Nigerian women facing economic hardship.
- The ADC vice presidential candidate defended his decision to speak publicly about his mother’s death.
- Amaechi blamed rising medication costs and inflation for placing additional pressure on families.
- He described the current economic crisis as “spiral inflation” affecting different sectors of the economy.
- The former Rivers State governor urged young Nigerians aged 18 to 40 to take greater interest in politics.
- Amaechi also criticised corruption, tribalism and religious divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amaechi Defends Remarks About His Late Mother
Amaechi said his comments about his late mother were not intended to exploit her death for political purposes, arguing that her experience reflected the struggles of many poor women across Nigeria.
“Those who say I may use my mother’s name, tell them to go to hell,” he said, defending his decision to speak about his mother.
The ADC candidate explained that his mother had no formal education or political position but remained important to him and represented ordinary women struggling to survive.
“My mother didn’t go to school. She has no degree. She had no office. I have a right to defend my mother. I have a right to fend for my mother, and I did that till she died. I gave her an honourable burial,” he said.
ADC Candidate Links Mother’s Death To Economic Hardship
Amaechi said he personally experienced the difficulty of caring for his mother as the cost of medication increased.
He argued that her experience was symbolic of the hardship confronting families across Nigeria, particularly those struggling to afford essential commodities and healthcare.
According to Amaechi, the economic crisis has affected Nigerians regardless of their social status, with rising prices putting increasing pressure on households.
He described the situation as “spiral inflation,” which he explained as an inflationary trend that starts in one area and spreads across other parts of the economy.
Amaechi Says Economic Crisis Affects Nigerians Across Social Classes
The former Rivers State governor and minister said the effects of rising prices could be seen across different sectors, warning that ordinary Nigerians were bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Amaechi also recalled that whenever his mother received money from him, she often gave some of it to other people who approached her for assistance.
He said this was another reason he viewed her as representative of poor Nigerian women who continued to support others despite their own financial difficulties.
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Amaechi Urges Young Nigerians To Participate In Politics
The ADC vice presidential candidate also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in the political process, particularly those between the ages of 18 and 40.
He encouraged young people to pay greater attention to elections and political leadership, stressing that the future of the country depended on their participation.
Amaechi also dismissed arguments based on family pedigree, saying his political achievements should be judged on his own record rather than his father’s background.
He noted that his father was neither an ambassador nor a university graduate, while he himself attended university and eventually became governor of Rivers State.
“It is not about pedigree. It is about you,” he told the gathering.
Amaechi Criticises Corruption, Religious Endorsement Of Wealth
Amaechi further criticised corruption and questioned the role of religious institutions in legitimising unexplained wealth.
He recounted an incident involving a politician who allegedly returned to church shortly after becoming a councillor with a brand-new car.
The ADC candidate argued that religious leaders should question the source of sudden wealth rather than simply celebrate displays of affluence.
“The church must also join us to chase away these thieves,” Amaechi said.
ADC Candidate Calls For Unity Ahead Of 2027 Elections
Amaechi also called on Nigerians to reject tribalism and religious division during elections.
He said voters should make political choices based on their conscience rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
“I am a Christian. I am a Catholic Christian. I fear God like anything else. But I will vote according to my conscience, and you should also vote according to your conscience,” he said.
His comments came as political parties and candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general elections, with economic hardship, governance, corruption and national unity expected to remain major campaign issues.
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