Onanuga Faults Amaechi Over Claim Linking Mother’s Death to Tinubu Policies

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi.

Onanuga said Amaechi had taken political criticism too far by linking his mother’s death to the administration’s policies. He also recalled Amaechi’s past comments questioning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s electoral chances, despite Amaechi now serving as Atiku’s running mate on the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Amaechi’s Claim on Medication Costs

The controversy followed an interview in which Amaechi spoke about the impact of rising living costs and drug prices under the Tinubu administration.

During the appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Amaechi alleged that the economic situation made it difficult for him to purchase medication for his mother before her death at age 89.

“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.

Amaechi used the experience to support his broader criticism of the administration’s economic reforms, particularly their effect on households dealing with rising costs of healthcare and essential goods.

However, his statement is a personal and political allegation. It does not amount to a medically established cause of his mother’s death.

Onanuga Responds

Reacting in a post on X, Onanuga said Amaechi had shown “how terribly low he can go to play his politics.”

The presidential aide aligned with earlier criticism from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who also faulted Amaechi for attributing his mother’s death to government policies. Onanuga further argued that Amaechi and Atiku should not be entrusted with leading the country.

Onanuga’s response also revived an old political point: Amaechi had previously described Atiku as unelectable, but is now the former vice president’s running mate in the ADC’s emerging opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 election.

APC Joins the Criticism

The All Progressives Congress, APC, also attacked Amaechi over the remarks.

In a statement attributed to its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party questioned Amaechi’s claim that he struggled to afford medication for his mother after leaving public office. The APC said the remark raised questions about his suitability for the vice-presidential office.

Morka said the party viewed Amaechi’s comments as part of a pattern of public complaints about his finances and personal circumstances after holding senior political offices.

Amaechi’s supporters, however, have maintained that his comments were intended to draw attention to the impact of inflation and high drug prices on ordinary Nigerians, particularly families caring for elderly relatives.

Political Debate Ahead of 2027

The dispute has become part of the widening political confrontation between the Tinubu administration and the ADC opposition alliance.

Amaechi has argued that the removal of petrol subsidy and other economic policies have placed severe pressure on Nigerians, including through higher fuel, food and healthcare costs. The Presidency and the APC have rejected his framing, accusing him of politicizing a personal loss.

The argument ultimately raises two separate issues:

• Whether rising medication costs and broader economic hardship are placing additional strain on Nigerian households.
• Whether Amaechi was justified in directly attributing his mother’s death to the Tinubu administration’s policies.

The first is a question that can be assessed through economic and healthcare-cost data. The second remains a personal claim by Amaechi and a political point strongly disputed by the Presidency, the APC and Wike.

Source: Gistreel