The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that he couldn't afford medication for his late mother, describing him as unfit to become Nigeria's vice president. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party mocked Amaechi over his reported financial difficulties since leaving public office. Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation, is the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi's comments attributed to him about his inability to afford medication for his mother, Mary Oduah Amaechi, who died in July at the age of 89, due to the hardship occasioned by President Bola Tinubu's policies, drew the APC's ire. The party expressed sympathy for Amaechi's loss but quickly turned its attention to his financial circumstances. Morka said the party prayed for the repose of Mrs. Amaechi's soul and wished her son "excellent health of mind and body."
The APC sarcastically suggested that Amaechi should seek employment in his hometown of Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The party stated that it was their sincere wish that employers of labor in his hometown may find him suitable for a job that pays wages sufficient for him to feed and buy medications for himself and his beloved family for the rest of his retirement.
The APC also referred to an earlier comment on Channels Television attributed to Amaechi in which he reportedly said he had become financially constrained to the extent that his wife was now feeding him. The party linked that comment to his latest disclosure about his inability to afford his late mother's medication. Morka said Amaechi's confessions must not be missed.
The APC argued that Amaechi's financial difficulties were difficult to reconcile with his long career in public office. The ruling party said his inability to support himself and his family financially after leaving public office raised questions about his productivity outside government. The APC stated that for four decades, Amaechi freeloaded at the highest levels of public office.
The APC questioned Amaechi's suitability for the vice presidency, accusing him of seeking political office to regain access to public resources. The party said Amaechi's reported financial difficulties were evidence, in its view, that he had become overly dependent on government positions. Morka accused Amaechi of seeking the vice presidency to return to government and continue benefiting from public resources.
The APC concluded by declaring that the presidency and other executive offices should not be treated as avenues for personal financial sustenance. The party stated that the presidency is not a soup kitchen, and will not be a soup kitchen for Rotimi Amaechi. Morka said there can be no better speaker of Amaechi's unfitness for the office of vice president than Amaechi himself.
Key points
- The APC criticized Amaechi over his claim that he couldn't afford medication for his late mother.
- The party questioned Amaechi's suitability for the vice presidency.
- Amaechi's financial difficulties have raised questions about his productivity outside government.
