Former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that the economic policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration contributed to the death of his mother, saying the soaring cost of medication made it difficult to sustain her treatment.
Amaechi made the remarks during an interview while discussing the impact of the current economic situation on Nigerian families. He said many citizens were finding it difficult to meet basic needs because of the rising cost of living.
The former governor insisted that his mother was in good health before Tinubu became President and rejected suggestions that her death was simply due to old age.
“My mother was healthy!” Amaechi said.
He added: “After Tinubu came into power, buying medication for her became difficult.”
When the interviewer pointed out that his mother had lived to an advanced age and questioned whether caring for her was solely his responsibility, Amaechi said he had done everything possible to provide for her medical needs.
According to him, the increasing prices of drugs and healthcare have placed many Nigerians in a difficult position, with families struggling to pay for treatment and other essential expenses.
Amaechi also referred to figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), claiming that Nigeria spent about ₦200 billion importing drugs in the last quarter, while about 40 per cent of finished goods consumed in the country were imported.
He argued that the country’s dependence on imported products, combined with current economic realities, had pushed the prices of medicines beyond the reach of many households.
President Tinubu’s administration has defended its economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, saying the measures are necessary to rebuild the economy. However, opposition politicians and many Nigerians have continued to express concern over the rising cost of living and its effect on everyday life.
Amaechi’s latest comments are expected to fuel further debate over the social and economic impact of the Federal Government’s reform agenda as concerns over inflation, healthcare costs and household welfare continue to dominate public discourse.