FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has hit back at former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother, Madam Mary Amaechi.
Wike accused Amaechi of dragging his late mother’s death into politics after the former governor said the rising cost of medicines under the Tinubu administration made it difficult for him to afford the drugs she needed.
Amaechi made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, saying his mother had been healthy before Tinubu became president but that the rising cost of medication later made her treatment increasingly difficult.
But reacting on Saturday, Wike said Tinubu should not be blamed for Amaechi’s inability to provide medication for his mother.
The FCT minister spoke while addressing the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council, leaders and stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Rivers State.
Wike said he was disturbed that Amaechi had brought the death of his mother into the political argument ahead of the 2027 general election.
He also took issue with Amaechi’s reported comment that his mother would be happy if the African Democratic Congress won the 2027 election.
According to Wike, such a statement suggested that the deceased’s happiness was being tied to the outcome of a political contest.
“Why would you bring your mother to play politics?” Wike asked, insisting that the dead should be allowed to rest.
The minister then turned to Amaechi’s long career in public office, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, governor from 2007 to 2015 and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.
Wike questioned how Amaechi, after 24 years in top political positions, could say the Tinubu administration’s policies left him unable to buy drugs for his sick mother.
He further questioned why associates who allegedly arrived in private jets for the woman’s burial could not have assisted with her medical expenses while she was alive.
The latest exchange has added a deeply personal dimension to the long-running political feud between Wike and Amaechi.
Wike also used the occasion to challenge Amaechi over projects from his eight-year tenure as Rivers governor, including the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital and the Rivers State monorail.
He questioned the amounts reportedly spent on the projects and demanded that Amaechi account for their current status.
Wike also raised questions about an alleged anti-malaria fumigation programme involving Cuban experts during Amaechi’s administration.
Beyond the projects, Wike challenged Amaechi to identify an election he had won in Rivers State since their political relationship broke down in 2011.
The renewed confrontation comes as Amaechi, now the ADC vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, and Wike find themselves on opposing political sides ahead of the poll.
Amaechi’s mother died in July 2026 and was buried in September in Ubima, Rivers State.
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