Wike challenges Amaechi over claim Tinubu’s policies led to mother’s death

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has faulted former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother.

Wike accused Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, of bringing his late mother into political debates in an attempt to attract public sympathy.

The FCT Minister spoke 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.

Amaechi had alleged during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday that the economic policies of the Tinubu administration made medicines unaffordable for his mother, thereby contributing to her death.

“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 during the interview.

Reacting to the allegation, Wike questioned how Amaechi, who had occupied several prominent political offices, could claim that he was unable to afford medication for his mother.

He pointed to Amaechi’s political career, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, Governor of the state for another eight years and Minister of Transportation for eight years.

“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,” Wike said.

Wike also questioned the circumstances surrounding Amaechi’s claim, referring to his comments about his family and describing his wife as an industrialist.

“Yet, an industrialist couldn’t give you money to buy drug for your mother,” he said.

The minister further argued that Amaechi had influential associates who, according to him, could have assisted with his mother’s medical expenses before her death.

“Yet, you didn’t know that you had friends who had private jets, who would come down to bury a mother whom you could not buy drug for, for her to survive?

“You didn’t tell them, ‘My mother was sick, can you help me? Give me money, let me buy drug.’ Let me tell you the truth, they gave you money. And then they came to bury your mother, and you accepted it,” he said.

Wike also criticised Amaechi’s reference to his late mother in relation to the outcome of the 2027 general election.

According to the minister, Amaechi had stated in a video that his mother would be happy if the ADC emerged victorious in 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.

“Too bad! She will not be happy that ADC will not win. You are the one who said your mother would be happy if ADC wins. How can you bring a loved one who’s gone to bring in politics?” Wike said.

Describing the development as inappropriate, the FCT Minister accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political discussions.

“It is unfortunate people can descend so low to use their mother to play politics,” he said.

Wike appealed to people to allow the deceased to rest, while praying for the peaceful 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 added.

Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026 and was buried in September in Ubima, Rivers State. Several prominent political figures attended the burial.

The exchange adds to the long-standing political differences between Wike and Amaechi, who were once political associates before becoming prominent opponents in Rivers State politics.

Earlier in the week, Wike had also challenged Amaechi to account for his achievements in Rivers State during his 24 years in senior political positions.