APC tackles Amaechi over mother’s death, says ex-Minister unfit for VP office

Chinedum Ukaegbu

All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, describing him as a “loafer” who has allegedly struggled to remain productive outside public office.

The APC, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, CON, also questioned Amaechi’s suitability to become Vice President of Nigeria under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amaechi, a former two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State and two-term Minister of Transportation, is currently the ADC vice-presidential candidate.

The APC statement began by offering prayers for the repose of the soul of Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, while also praying for the former governor’s well-being.

However, the ruling party subsequently criticised Amaechi over comments attributed to him concerning his financial circumstances and his inability to afford medication for his late mother.

According to the APC, Amaechi had previously complained that he had become financially constrained and was being supported by his wife, while it said he had also attributed his mother’s death at the age of 89 to his inability to afford her medication.

The party described the claims as “uncanny confessions” and used them to question Amaechi’s ability to provide for himself and his family after leaving public office.

“For four decades, Rotimi Amaechi freeloaded at the highest levels of public office,” the APC alleged, arguing that he had enjoyed access to public office and resources for much of his career.

The party further claimed that Amaechi’s reported financial difficulties only three years after leaving office raised questions about his ability to earn a living outside government patronage.

“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 statement said.

The APC also took aim at Amaechi’s 2027 political ambition, alleging that his bid for the vice presidency was an attempt to return to the benefits associated with public office.

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

The APC declared that the presidency should not be regarded as a means of personal financial support.

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

Concluding the statement, the APC argued that Amaechi’s own public comments had provided the strongest basis for questioning his suitability for the position he is seeking.

“No one can speak more to Rotimi Amaechi’s unfitness for the office of Vice President than Rotimi Amaechi himself,” the party declared.