President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, amid an escalating political exchange over the death of Amaechi’s mother.
Onanuga’s comments followed Amaechi’s allegation that the economic policies of the Tinubu administration contributed to his mother’s death by making it difficult for him to afford the medication she needed.
Amaechi, the former Rivers State governor and former Minister of Transportation, made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that rising drug prices and broader economic hardship under the Tinubu administration had affected his ability to provide his mother’s medication.
Amaechi’s comments drew a strong response from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who accused the ADC vice-presidential candidate of bringing his mother’s death into political arguments.
Onanuga Attacks ADC Ticket
Reacting to the controversy, Onanuga backed Wike’s criticism and described Amaechi’s comments as evidence of what he regarded as the former governor’s extreme approach to politics.
In a post on X, the presidential aide said Amaechi and Atiku could not be entrusted with running the country, while also referring to allegations and legal cases involving Atiku.
Onanuga further recalled Amaechi’s previous criticism of Atiku’s electoral prospects.
The presidential aide said Amaechi had previously described Atiku as “unelectable”, arguing that the former Rivers governor’s earlier position contradicted his current role as Atiku’s running mate.
The comments represent Onanuga’s political assessment of the ADC ticket rather than an independent assessment of the candidates’ electoral prospects.
Amaechi Blames Economic Policies for Difficulty Buying Drugs
Amaechi had said his mother was in good health before Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 but that the rising cost of medication subsequently made it difficult for him to provide the drugs she required.
“The policies Tinubu introduced are killing people. I lost my mother because of the policies,” Amaechi said during the television interview.
He also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms, arguing that the measures had contributed to increased costs of living, transportation, food and healthcare.
Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026 at the age of 89.
The former governor’s comments were made in the context of his broader criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and their impact on Nigerians.
Wike Challenges Amaechi’s Claim
Wike subsequently criticised Amaechi over the allegation, questioning how the former governor could have been unable to afford his mother’s medication after holding several senior public offices.
Wike noted that Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation.
The FCT minister also questioned why Amaechi did not seek assistance from friends or family members if the cost of his mother’s treatment had become difficult to bear.
Wike further accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political debates after the ADC vice-presidential candidate reportedly said his mother would be happy if the ADC won the 2027 election.
The exchange has since become part of the broader political confrontation between supporters of the Tinubu administration and the opposition ADC ahead of the 2027 general election.
Onanuga Recalls Amaechi’s Previous Atiku Comment
Onanuga’s latest response also focused on comments Amaechi made before becoming Atiku’s running mate.
According to reports, Amaechi had previously questioned Atiku’s electability, pointing to the former vice-president’s record of winning party primaries without subsequently winning a presidential election.
Amaechi had argued that success in party primaries was different from winning a general election.
Onanuga referenced that earlier position while responding to the current political partnership between the two men.
The development adds another dimension to the increasingly heated exchanges surrounding the 2027 presidential contest.
Political Battle Intensifies Ahead of 2027
The latest dispute comes as the ADC seeks to position its presidential ticket as an alternative to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku is the ADC’s presidential candidate, while Amaechi is his running mate.
The Tinubu administration and its supporters have increasingly criticised the opposition ticket, while Atiku and Amaechi have continued to attack the government’s economic policies and record.
Amaechi’s allegation concerning his mother’s medication has therefore become part of a wider political argument over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms.
While Amaechi has linked the rising cost of medicines to his personal experience, Wike and Onanuga have rejected his political framing of the issue. The competing claims remain statements made by the respective political figures and should be understood in that context.