APC knocks Amaechi over claim he couldn’t afford mother’s drugs

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, over his reported claim that he could not afford medication for his late mother before her death at the age of 89.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC questioned Amaechi’s financial circumstances after leaving public office and criticised his decision to seek the vice-presidential ticket of the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party began the statement by commiserating with Amaechi over the death of his mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, and praying for the former minister’s wellbeing.

It, however, swiftly turned to a criticism of Amaechi’s reported comments about his financial difficulties.

The APC said it was its “sincere wish” that employers in Amaechi’s hometown of Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, would find him suitable employment that could provide sufficient income for his needs.

The party recalled an earlier statement attributed to Amaechi in which he reportedly said he had become financially constrained to the extent that his wife was now supporting him.

The APC said his latest claim about being unable to afford his mother’s medication raised questions about his financial position after leaving public office.

“Rotimi Amaechi’s uncanny confessions must not be missed. First, he howled that he had become so broke and hungry that his wife was now feeding him. Now, he has stated that his inability to afford medications killed his mother at 89,” Morka said.

The party also questioned Amaechi’s ability to sustain himself outside public office, citing his long career in government.

Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor of the state and Minister of Transportation, and was also a presidential aspirant before emerging as the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate.

The APC alleged that his comments suggested he had become financially dependent after leaving government, describing the situation in strongly worded terms.

It further criticised Amaechi for seeking the vice-presidential position in 2027, alleging that his objective was to return to access to public resources.

“The same Rotimi Amaechi now asks Nigerians to make him vice president come 2027 so he can continue leeching on public treasury and keep the predatory lifestyle he has grown accustomed to,” the party said.

The APC declared that the presidency should not be treated as a means of providing financial support to political office holders.

“The presidency is not a soup kitchen, and will not be a soup kitchen for Rotimi Amaechi,” Morka said.

The party concluded by questioning Amaechi’s suitability for the vice-presidential position, saying his own reported statements had raised questions about his readiness for the office.

“There can be no better speaker of Rotimi Amaechi’s unfitness for the office of vice president than Rotimi Amaechi himself,” the APC said.