Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother.
Amaechi made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, saying his mother had been healthy before Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 but later faced difficulty accessing the medication she needed because of rising costs.
Key Highlights
- Wike rejected Amaechi’s claim linking his mother’s death to Tinubu’s economic policies.
- Amaechi said rising medication costs made it difficult to obtain drugs for his mother.
- Wike questioned how Amaechi, given his years in public office, could not afford essential medication for his mother.
- Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, died on July 16, 2026, aged 89.
- Wike accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The dispute highlights the wider political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi and debate over the impact of economic reforms on healthcare costs.
Amaechi said the difficulties were connected to the wider economic hardship facing Nigerians, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and increased costs associated with imported medicines.
“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 stated.
Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, also known as Mary Amaechi, died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89. She was buried on September 5, 2026, in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The funeral attracted political figures and associates, while President Tinubu had earlier sent condolences, describing the deceased as a woman whose life reflected faith, sacrifice and service.
Read also:
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- Rivers On The Edge As Wike’s Reception Coincides With Amaechi Mother’s Burial
- Wike Challenges Amaechi: ‘Name One Election You’ve Won in Rivers Since I Left You’
Wike Questions Amaechi’s Claim
Speaking on Saturday, October 3, 2026, while addressing members of the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council in Ahoada, Rivers State, Wike rejected Amaechi’s attribution of his mother’s death to the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.
Wike also accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.
The FCT minister referred to Amaechi’s long career in public office, including his tenure as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.
Wike questioned how a politician with Amaechi’s experience and network could claim that he was unable to afford essential medication 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,” Wike said.
Wike also referred to Amaechi’s description of his wife as an industrialist and the presence of wealthy associates at his mother’s burial.
He questioned why financial assistance was not sought while Amaechi’s mother was still alive and criticised a reported video comment in which Amaechi suggested that his mother would be happy if the ADC won the 2027 election.
Wike described the reported comment as an inappropriate politicisation of a personal loss.
Political Rivalry Between Wike And Amaechi
The exchange is the latest development in the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, both former governors of Rivers State who have remained influential figures in the state and national political landscape.
Wike currently serves in the Tinubu administration, while Amaechi is associated with the ADC opposition platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The dispute has also drawn attention to wider concerns about the impact of economic reforms on Nigerians’ access to healthcare and the rising cost of medicines. It has further highlighted how personal issues can become part of political debates in the period leading to the 2027 elections.
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