‘Tinubu was the reason’: Amaechi speaks on mother’s death, drug costs

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the difficulties his family faced in purchasing medicines for his mother before her death, citing rising drug prices under the current government.

Amaechi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, arguing that the rising cost of medicines had made healthcare increasingly unaffordable for many Nigerians.

“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor questioned why his mother did not live to the age of 92, attributing the difficulties his family encountered in obtaining medicines to the economic situation under Tinubu’s administration.

“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,” Amaechi said.

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He added that many Nigerians were facing similar challenges, with families struggling to afford healthcare for elderly relatives and other loved ones.

Amaechi also cited figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), claiming that Nigeria spent N200 billion importing drugs in the preceding quarter. He further stated that 40 per cent of finished goods were imported.

The former minister has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, amid concerns over the rising cost of living and its implications for households.

In a separate interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Wednesday, Amaechi said he would resign from office if Nigeria failed to begin experiencing noticeable change within one year of an ADC administration.

He said an administration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), if elected in 2027, would prioritise key sectors and work towards improving the living conditions of Nigerians.

“If Nigeria does not begin to change, one year after we have come to office, come to me, I will resign,” he said.

Amaechi clarified that he was not promising to resolve every national challenge within a year but maintained that Nigerians should begin to experience tangible improvements.

“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 added.