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| Photo credit — Rotimi Amaechi |
Rotimi Amaechi claims President Tinubu’s economic policies made it hard to buy drugs for his late mother. Details from his Channels TV interview, reactions, and context.
Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate and former Minister of Transportation, has linked the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to difficulties his family faced in obtaining medication for his late mother.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Amaechi described the impact of current economic conditions on ordinary Nigerians and his personal experience. He stated that his mother was healthy before Tinubu became President but that affording her required drugs later became challenging amid rising hardship.
Amaechi said:
“The policies Tinubu introduced are killing people. I lost my mother because of the policies. We have lost people. President Tinubu’s policies killed my mother.
Before Tinubu became President, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, when Tinubu came, it became difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I did the best I could in taking care of my mother.”
He also criticised the removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy was expected to improve living standards but had instead worsened economic hardship for many citizens.
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Background on Amaechi’s Mother
Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi died in July 2026 at the age of 89. President Tinubu had earlier issued a formal condolence message, describing her as a woman of deep faith, sacrifice, and service to her family and community.
The remarks came during a broader discussion on the cost of living, access to healthcare, and the effects of government reforms. Some reports of the interview noted a challenging exchange with the presenter regarding personal responsibility and the nature of the comments.
Government Reaction
Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, dismissed the ADC ticket’s prospects. Onanuga stated that Amaechi knows the joint ticket with Atiku Abubakar is unlikely to succeed in the 2027 election and described it as a joke.
Amaechi’s Earlier Comments on Atiku
Before becoming Atiku Abubakar’s running mate, Amaechi had publicly questioned the ADC presidential candidate’s electability. In a Trust TV interview, he noted that while Atiku has a long record of winning party primaries since 1992, those victories have not translated into general election success. Amaechi argued that performance in a general election matters more than winning party tickets and expressed hope that Atiku might lose a primary for the first time.
Context of the Economic Debate
Amaechi’s comments form part of ongoing political debate over the impact of Tinubu administration reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy and related economic measures. Supporters of the policies argue they were necessary for long-term fiscal stability, while critics, including opposition figures, point to increased living costs and pressure on households.
This report is based on Amaechi’s statements during the Channels Television interview and subsequent public reactions. Readers are encouraged to watch the full interview for complete context.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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