Tinubu’s policies killed my mother — Amaechi

The African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration contributed to the death of his mother.

Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor, made the allegation on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while discussing the rising cost of living and the impact of the government’s economic reforms.

He said his mother had been healthy before Tinubu assumed office but that the rising cost of medication made it difficult for him to provide the drugs she needed.

> “Before Tinubu became president, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, Tinubu came and, by the time people came, I was about to buy drugs for my mother,” Amaechi said.

The former governor was responding to questions on his criticism of the administration’s economic policies and their effects on ordinary Nigerians.

Amaechi also questioned the whereabouts of funds saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy, asking why Nigerians had yet to see the benefits of the policy.

> “Where are those funds that are supposed to be there as the outcome of what is called removal of subsidy? Where are they? The essence of the president removing subsidy is to improve the lives of Nigerians. Where is the money?” he asked.

The ADC candidate argued that the rising cost of living had made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to meet basic needs, particularly healthcare.

When the interviewer questioned whether the responsibility for his mother’s care rested with him, Amaechi responded by highlighting the number of people he said he was financially supporting.

> “Do I have a choice? Do you know how many people I’m taking care of?” he said.

Amaechi’s comments came amid intense political debate over the impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and its effect on household expenses.

The former governor also criticised the security situation in the country, including alleged killings involving the police.

He said the combination of economic hardship, rising costs and insecurity was placing additional pressure on Nigerian families.

Amaechi’s claim is an allegation by the opposition politician, linking his mother’s death to difficulties he said he experienced in obtaining medication; the available reports do not establish an independent medical finding that government policy caused her death. His mother, Mary Amaechi, died in 2026 at the age of 89.