Tinubu Did Not Kill Your Mother – Wike Hits Back at Amaechi

The minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has hit back at 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 dismissed Amaechi’s claim while speaking during a visit to the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Amaechi had alleged that the economic policies introduced by the Tinubu administration made it difficult for him to afford the medication his mother needed before her death.

The former Rivers State governor made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

In the program, Amaechi criticised the impact of the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system.

Amaechi said his mother had been in good health before Tinubu became president in May 2023, but that the rising cost of medication subsequently made it difficult for him to continue providing the drugs she needed.

“The policies Tinubu introduced are killing people. I lost my mother because of the policies. We have lost people. President Tinubu’s policies killed my mother,” Amaechi said.

He added, “Before Tinubu became President, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, when Tinubu came, it became difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I did the best I could in taking care of my mother.”

Reacting to the allegation, Wike questioned Amaechi’s claim that he could not afford his mother’s medication, referring to the political positions he had held over the years.

Wike said Amaechi 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.

“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.

He also questioned why Amaechi did not seek financial assistance from people around him if the cost of his mother’s treatment had become difficult to bear.

“But you have told the world that your wife is an industrialist. Yet, your industrialist couldn’t give you money to buy drugs for your mother?” Wike asked.

Wike also referred to the presence of political figures at Amaechi’s mother’s burial, questioning why assistance was not sought while she was still alive.

“Look at who came with all the private jets to bury a woman whom you could not buy drugs for because you were taking care of other people,” he said.

“You didn’t tell them, ‘My mother was sick. Can you help me? Give me money. Let me buy drugs.’”

Wike further accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political arguments ahead of the 2027 general election.

The FCT minister referred to Amaechi’s statement that his mother would have been happy if the ADC won the election.

“In one of the videos, he said, ‘If ADC wins the election, his mother will be very happy.’ So the only condition is that their mother will not be happy if ADC does not win,” Wike said.

He added, “You are the one who said your mother would be happy if ADC wins. How can you bring a loved one, who is old, to play politics?”

“It’s really unfortunate. It’s really unfortunate. People can stoop so low to use their mother to play politics,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor had said the rising cost of medicines was one of the consequences of the Federal Government’s economic policies that concerned him.

Amaechi argued that while the administration had justified the removal of the petrol subsidy as necessary to save government funds, Nigerians were still struggling with increased costs of transportation, food and healthcare.

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. The Federal Government has defended the reform, saying the subsidy imposed a significant financial burden on the country and that resources could be redirected towards development and other priorities.

The administration has also introduced measures including cash transfers and compressed natural gas initiatives, which it says are intended to cushion the effects of the reforms on vulnerable Nigerians.

Amaechi’s comments came against the background of the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi, who died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89.

Her death attracted condolences from political figures, including President Tinubu, who described the late matriarch as a woman whose life reflected faith, sacrifice and service.