Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has taken issue with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu contributed to his mother’s death.
Amaechi had made the statement during a Friday appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, arguing that the rising cost of medicines made it difficult for him to obtain the drugs his mother needed.
“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.
Speaking on Saturday at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State, Wike questioned Amaechi’s explanation, pointing to his former political positions and years in public office.
“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.
The FCT minister also questioned whether Amaechi could have received assistance from members of his family, particularly after describing his wife as an industrialist.
“Yet, an industrialist couldn’t give you money to buy drug for your mother,” he said.
Wike also referred to Amaechi’s associates, questioning why those who attended his mother’s burial could not have offered financial support for her treatment while she was alive.
“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.
The minister further criticised Amaechi over remarks concerning his late mother and the 2027 election, after the former governor reportedly said she would be happy if the African Democratic Congress won.
“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.
Wike described the reference to Amaechi’s late mother in political discussions as inappropriate.
“It is unfortunate people can descend so low to use their mother to play politics,” he said.
He also called for prayers for 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.
Mary Amaechi died in July 2026 and was buried in September at Ubima, Rivers State. The latest exchange adds to the long-running political disagreement between Wike and Amaechi.
