APC Faults Amaechi’s Claim Over Mother’s Medical Expenses

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, over his claim that economic hardship prevented him from affording medication for his late mother.

The party described Amaechi as having relied heavily on public office throughout his career and questioned how he could become financially constrained only a few years after leaving government.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC also took aim at Amaechi’s reported ambition to become vice president in 2027.

The party began its statement by offering prayers for Amaechi’s late mother and for the former governor himself.

It said, “The All Progressives Congress prays that the soul of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi continues to rest in perfect peace. Amen.

“We also pray for excellent health of mind and body for her son, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, a former two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor, two-term Minister of Transportation, former presidential aspirant, and currently the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, who could not afford medications for his mother’s treatment.

The APC subsequently suggested that Amaechi should seek employment outside politics to enable him provide for himself and his family.

“It is our sincere wish that employers of labour in his hometown of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State may find him suitable for a job that pays wages sufficient for him to feed and buy medications for himself and his beloved family for the rest of his retirement. Amen.

The party also referenced previous comments attributed to Amaechi about his financial difficulties, using them to question his suitability for national 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.”

The APC argued that Amaechi’s own comments, as interpreted by the party, raised questions about his readiness to occupy the vice presidency.

It continued, “For four decades, Rotimi Amaechi freeloaded at the highest levels of public office. He was never hungry and could afford medications for himself and his family. Just three years out of office, he has become destitute, unable to fend for himself and his loved ones. If Amaechi is not struggling with some kind of Peter Pan syndrome, then he must be a loafer, aimless and irresponsible for his inability to be productive and earn a living outside the patronage of public office.

“The same Rotimi Amaechi now asks Nigerians to make him vice president come 2027 so he can continue… and keep the predatory lifestyle he has grown accustomed to.

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

Amaechi had made the comments while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

During the programme, he attributed the economic difficulties facing Nigerians to the policies of President Bola Tinubu and alleged that the situation contributed to his inability to afford medication for his mother, who died recently following a prolonged illness.