Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticised Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers governor and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for linking his mother’s death to the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Gatekeepers News reports that Wike spoke on Saturday while addressing the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Amaechi had, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, said the rising cost of medicines under Tinubu made it difficult for his family to care for his mother, Mary Amaechi, before her death.
“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” Amaechi said.
He added: “Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, by the time Tinubu came, it was difficult to buy drugs for my mother.”
Reacting to the claim, Wike accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political arguments.
“Anybody who watched television last night would cry when somebody is bringing his own mother to play politics. Your mother that we thought should be resting peacefully,” Wike said.
Wike also referred to Amaechi’s claim that his mother would be happy if the ADC won the 2027 presidential election.
“In one of the videos, he said if ADC wins election, his mother would be very happy,” Wike said.
“So, the only condition is that your mother will not be happy if ADC does not win. Too bad! She will not be happy. But ADC will not win. How can you bring a loved one who just died to bring in politics?” he added.
The FCT minister further questioned Amaechi’s claim that he could not afford his mother’s medication, noting that the former governor had occupied several senior political positions, including speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor and minister.
“This was a speaker for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. This was a governor for eight years, from 2007 to 2015,” Wike said.
“This was a minister for eight years, from 2015 to 2023, and your mother was sick, and you are telling the whole world, and because of the policy of Tinubu, you couldn’t buy drugs for your mother, and so your mother died.”
Wike also questioned why Amaechi did not seek financial assistance from his friends and associates if he was unable to pay for the medication.
He said: “It is really unfortunate; people can descend so low to use their mother to play politics.”
Amaechi’s mother, Mary, died in July 2026 at the age of 89. She was described by the family as a community and Christian leader who was respected for her warmth, kindness and support for others.
The exchange adds to the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who both previously served as Governors of Rivers State.
