Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, has alleged that policies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration contributed to the death of his mother.
Amaechi made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today aired on Friday.
He said the rising cost of medicines under the Tinubu administration made it increasingly difficult for his family to afford the drugs needed to care for his mother before her death.
According to him, the economic situation has also made healthcare unaffordable for many Nigerians.
“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.
Amaechi added: “You want me to mention my friends who are 90 or 92 years old? Why do you think my mother couldn’t live up to 92? Tinubu was the reason. Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy.
“Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, by the time Tinubu came, it was difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I know most of you won’t believe this.
He further argued that the high cost of healthcare was affecting families across the country, citing figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“But the point I’m making is that there are so many persons whose parents have died who themselves are about to die, because by Tinubu’s removal, the NBS said last quarter, we spent N200 billion importing drugs. Forty percent of finished goods are imported.”
Amaechi has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Amaechi promises change within one year
The ADC vice-presidential candidate also said he would resign from office if Nigerians did not begin to see changes within one year of an ADC administration taking power.
Amaechi made the statement during an interview on AIT on Wednesday while outlining what he said would be the priorities of an ADC government if elected in 2027.
“If Nigeria does not begin to change, one year after we have come to office, come to me, I will resign,” he said.
Asked if he meant within one year, Amaechi replied: “One year after? Yes, if Nigeria does not begin to change. I didn’t say Nigeria must change or that everything must change. But even if you feel the change, you have a breath of fresh air.”
