Vice-Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has alleged that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration contributed to the death of his mother.
Amaechi made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
He said the rising cost of drugs under Tinubu’s administration made it difficult for his family to care for his mother before her death.
“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.
When reminded that his mother died at the age of 82, Mr Amaechi questioned why she could not live longer, arguing that her health had deteriorated following the introduction of the administration’s economic policies.
“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,” he said.
“Suddenly, by the time Tinubu came, it was difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I know most of you won’t believe this.”
The former governor of Rivers State argued that the rising cost of medicines had affected many Nigerian families, leaving some unable to afford essential healthcare for their ageing parents.
He also cited figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), claiming that Nigeria spent N200 billion on drug imports in the last quarter.
He added that about 40 per cent of finished goods were imported, highlighting what he described as the country’s dependence on imported products.
Meanwhile, Amaechi has repeatedly criticised Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he has linked to the rising cost of living.
He also expressed confidence that an administration led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and himself would improve living conditions for Nigerians.
While responding to a question about how quickly such changes could be achieved, Amaechi said Nigerians could begin to experience improvements within a year.
“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,” he said.
