Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, 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.
Wike accused Amaechi of politicising the death of his mother, Madam Mary Amaechi, who died in July at the age of 89, after the former governor said rising healthcare costs made it difficult for him to afford her medication.
The FCT minister spoke on Saturday while addressing members of the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council and other community stakeholders at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State. His comments followed Amaechi’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, October 2.
During the interview, Amaechi blamed the Tinubu administration’s economic policies for making it difficult to purchase the drugs his mother needed.
Reacting, Wike said he was troubled by Amaechi’s decision to bring his late mother into political arguments, particularly after the ADC candidate reportedly linked her happiness to the outcome of the 2027 general election.
“How dare you bring a loved one who’s not alive into politics?” Wike asked, arguing that the deceased should be allowed to rest without being drawn into political disputes.
The minister also challenged Amaechi’s claim that the rising cost of medication prevented him from adequately caring for his mother.
Wike pointed to Amaechi’s years in public office, noting that he served 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.
He questioned how someone who had held those positions could say he struggled to afford his mother’s medication.
Wike further asked why Amaechi did not seek assistance from friends, relatives or associates if the cost of treatment had become difficult to manage. He also referred to Amaechi’s description of his wife as an industrialist and questioned whether she could have helped with the expenses.
The minister also cited the number of prominent people who attended the late Mary Amaechi’s burial, arguing that Amaechi could have approached people around him for assistance while his mother was alive.
Wike accused the former governor of using the loss to seek public sympathy and strongly rejected his suggestion that Tinubu’s policies were responsible for his mother’s death.
“It is very unfortunate that people can descend so low to use your mother to play politics,” he said.
“Instead of me to have such a child, may I be childless,” Wike added.
Amaechi’s remarks had centred on the rising cost of medicines and the broader effects of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He questioned how the savings from subsidy removal were being used, arguing that Nigerians should be able to feel the benefits through improved living conditions and more affordable healthcare.
The exchange has added to the political disagreement between the two former Rivers State governors, who are now on opposing sides of the debate over Tinubu’s economic policies ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amaechi’s claim about the circumstances surrounding his mother’s medical care remains his account of the hardship his family experienced. Wike’s response challenges that account and questions Amaechi’s handling of the situation.
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