Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s claim that President Bola Tinubu’s policies contributed to the death of his mother.

Amaechi made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, saying the rising cost of medicines under the Tinubu administration had made it difficult for his family to afford the drugs his mother needed.

He said his mother had been healthy before Tinubu assumed office but that the increasing cost of medication later made her care more difficult.

Reacting to the claim on Saturday, Wike questioned Amaechi’s decision to link his mother’s death to the policies of the Federal Government.

The FCT minister also criticised Amaechi for bringing his late mother into political arguments, saying she should be allowed to rest.

Wike pointed to Amaechi’s previous public positions, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation.

Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, made the comments about his mother while discussing the broader effects of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and rising living costs.

The disagreement comes as Wike and Amaechi, who have been major political figures in Rivers State, continue to take opposing positions on the administration and issues surrounding the 2027 elections.