Presidency Says Amaechi Behaves Like A Clown For Linking Mother’s Death To Tinubu Economic Policies

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidency has described as laughable, remarks by former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi which linked his Mother’s death to President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

Reacting after the former Transportation Minister, linked the death of his mother to the economic policies of President  Tinubu’s administration, a presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, in a post on X stated: “Unfortunate. This man is a clown at this point.”

Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

The former Rivers State governor said his mother had been healthy before Tinubu became president but that the rising cost of medicines later made it difficult for him to afford the drugs she needed.

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

Amaechi also criticised the wider impact of the administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and rising household costs.

He questioned whether Nigerians were benefiting from the savings associated with subsidy removal.

His comments followed a broader discussion about the difficulty many Nigerians face in meeting basic needs, including healthcare and medication.

Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026 at the age of 89, according to reports.

The reaction has added to the political exchange between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

Amaechi, who served as Rivers State governor before becoming Transportation Minister, has continued to criticise the Federal Government’s handling of the economy and the impact of its reforms on Nigerians.

The Presidency’s response focused on Amaechi’s statement, while the former minister has maintained his criticism of the economic conditions affecting households.