Wike Fires Back at Amaechi Over Claim Linking Tinubu’s Policies to Mother’s Death
PINAIBA BOLOUERE FIRSTLADY — Reporter
PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE — The political rivalry between former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken another turn following a heated exchange over the death of Amaechi’s mother.
Wike criticised Amaechi after the former Rivers State governor linked the death of his mother to the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Amaechi, who is currently the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said the rising cost of medicines following the implementation of economic reforms made it increasingly difficult for his family to afford the drugs his mother needed.
According to reports of the interview, Amaechi said his mother had been healthy before Tinubu assumed office in 2023 but that the cost of medication subsequently became difficult for him to manage.
Amaechi’s comments were made in the wider context of his criticism of the administration’s economic policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the resulting increase in living costs.
His mother, Ezinne Amaechi, died in July 2026 at the age of 89 and was buried in September in Ubima, Rivers State.
Wike Challenges Amaechi’s Explanation
Reacting to the allegation, Wike questioned Amaechi’s explanation and criticised his decision to connect his mother’s death to the policies of the Tinubu administration.
Speaking 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, Wike argued that Amaechi had occupied several influential political positions and questioned how he could have been unable to provide the medication his mother required.
Wike pointed to Amaechi’s political career, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, governor of Rivers State for eight years and Minister of Transportation for another eight years.
The FCT minister used those years in public office to question Amaechi’s account of the circumstances surrounding his mother’s medical care.
Wike Accuses Amaechi of Seeking Political Sympathy
Wike also accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political arguments for political sympathy.
He took particular exception to comments attributed to Amaechi concerning his mother and the outcome of the 2027 election.
Wike said Amaechi had previously suggested in a video that his late mother would be happy if the ADC won the election, arguing that political competition should not involve the use of a deceased family member.
The minister urged politicians to allow the deceased to rest, while offering prayers for Amaechi’s late mother.
Amaechi’s Broader Criticism of Tinubu’s Administration
The controversy comes amid Amaechi’s broader criticism of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
During the same interview in which he discussed his mother’s death, Amaechi criticised the administration over the cost of living, healthcare expenses, fuel prices and other economic issues.
He also challenged the government over infrastructure development and questioned what he described as the administration’s record of completed major projects.
Amaechi has also said that he would withdraw from the ADC ticket and campaign for President Tinubu if petrol sells for ₦600 per litre, a statement that has generated further political discussion.
Another Chapter in the Wike-Amaechi Rivalry
The latest disagreement adds to the long-running political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, two major political figures from Rivers State whose relationship has evolved from political collaboration to open confrontation.
Wike has recently criticised Amaechi over his record during his years as Speaker, governor and Minister of Transportation.
In another appearance this week, Wike challenged supporters of Amaechi to identify tangible projects or political empowerment he attracted to Rivers State and his political constituency during his 24 years in senior political positions.
The two politicians have continued to take opposing positions on political and economic issues as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections.
For now, the dispute over Amaechi’s mother has added a deeply personal dimension to their political disagreement, with Wike insisting that the deceased should be left out of political battles, while Amaechi has maintained that the rising cost of medicines under the current economic climate affected his family’s ability to care for his mother.
The competing claims remain part of the ongoing political debate, and neither side’s political interpretation should be treated as an independently established cause of the death.
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