Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, has made a startling claim that President Bola Tinubu's economic policies contributed to the death of his mother. According to Amaechi, the rising cost of medication made it difficult for him to provide the necessary drugs for his mother, who passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89. Amaechi made this allegation during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today.
Amaechi's mother, Mary Amaechi, was a respected community leader and a committed Christian. Her death attracted condolences from several political figures, including President Tinubu, who described her as a woman whose life reflected faith, sacrifice, and service to others. Amaechi has repeatedly attacked the government's economic direction as the 2027 general election approaches, arguing that government policies should be measured by their impact on households.
The ADC candidate criticized the impact of Tinubu's economic reforms on Nigerians, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system. These policies, introduced shortly after Tinubu's inauguration in May 2023, led to a sharp increase in petrol prices and transportation costs, with effects spreading to goods and services. Amaechi questioned whether Nigerians were benefiting from the savings associated with the subsidy removal.
Amaechi's criticism extended to healthcare, where he highlighted the rising cost of medicines as a serious problem for families dependent on regular medication. He argued that the purpose of the reform was to improve living conditions, not leave families struggling to meet basic needs. The former Rivers State governor said he personally struggled to keep up with his mother's medication costs despite doing his best to care for her.
President Tinubu's administration has defended the decision to remove the petrol subsidy, arguing that it had placed a heavy burden on government finances and that the money could be redirected to infrastructure and other areas of national development. The government has also introduced measures to cushion the effect of the reforms, including cash transfers, CNG initiatives, and other interventions targeted at vulnerable Nigerians.
Amaechi's allegation comes as the Federal Government maintains that the reforms were necessary to address longstanding weaknesses in the Nigerian economy. The State House has described the removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms as measures intended to strengthen public finances, attract investment, and create conditions for long-term economic recovery.
Amaechi's mother was buried in September 2026 in Ubima, Rivers State, with political figures and associates gathering to pay their respects. The family described her as a woman who devoted her life to her family, faith, and community. KEY_POINT: Rotimi Amaechi alleges President Bola Tinubu's economic policies led to his mother's death. KEY_POINT: Amaechi criticizes the government's economic direction and its impact on Nigerians. KEY_POINT: The government defends its economic reforms as necessary for long-term economic recovery.
