Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, has directly linked President Bola Tinubu's economic policies to the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi. The former Rivers State governor made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, October 2, 2026, in a conversation monitored by Legit.ng.
Amaechi's Direct Accusation Against Tinubu
During the interview, the host directly asked Amaechi whether the president's policies had contributed to his mother's passing. "Is it Tinubu's policy that killed your mother?" the anchor asked. Amaechi answered without hesitation: "Of course, before Tinubu, my mother was healthy."
The presenter then challenged Amaechi over his personal obligation to provide for his mother's welfare, telling him, "It is not your responsibility to take care of your mother, and you allow her to die." Amaechi pushed back, questioning whether he had any real choice given the number of people he said he was financially supporting. "Do I have a choice? Do you know how many people I'm taking care of?" he said.
Mary Amaechi's Death and Burial
Mary Amaechi died in July 2026 at the age of 89. She was laid to rest on September 5, 2026, in her hometown of Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, in the South-South region of Nigeria. The former minister's comments have reignited public debate over the impact of Tinubu's economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.
Amaechi's political background includes serving as governor of Rivers State and later as minister of transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The 61-year-old is currently the ADC's vice presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, running alongside the party's presidential flagbearer.
Previous Statements on Fuel Prices and 2027 Elections
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Amaechi said he would step down from the race and actively campaign for President Tinubu if petrol prices fall to N600 per litre. Beyond the fuel price condition, Amaechi also addressed concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general elections, saying he did not believe Tinubu would attempt to rig the vote. His stance was rooted in the level of economic suffering Nigerians are currently enduring.
The trending video of Amaechi's interview has been widely shared on social media, with the former minister's allegations adding to the ongoing political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections. His remarks have drawn reactions from across the political spectrum, with supporters and critics alike weighing in on the claims.
