Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for making it difficult for his family to afford medication for his late mother.
Amaechi made the allegation on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he criticised the rising cost of medicines and its impact on Nigerians’ access to healthcare.
He said the situation became particularly difficult for his family after Tinubu assumed office, insisting that his mother had been healthy before the current administration came to power.
“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.
“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.
“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 said the difficulties experienced by his family were reflective of a wider challenge confronting Nigerians, particularly those struggling to meet the rising cost of healthcare.
The former Rivers State governor has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, including the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that the measures have worsened economic hardship. Tinubu, however, has defended the reforms, saying they were necessary to correct longstanding weaknesses in the economy.
Amaechi also reiterated his confidence in the ADC’s proposed alternative, saying he would personally leave office if Nigerians did not begin to feel a positive change within one year of an ADC administration.
“If Nigeria does not begin to change, one year after we have come to office, come to me, I will resign,” he had said.
“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.”
The ADC candidate has also challenged Nigerians to assess political candidates on their records and performance ahead of the 2027 general election.
