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Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, has said the rising cost of medicines under President Bola Tinubu contributed to his mother’s death.
Amaechi argued that government policies have pushed drugs beyond the reach of many Nigerian families.
Amaechi made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, saying his mother had been healthy before Tinubu took office in 2023.
“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.
“You want me to mention my friends who are 90 or 92 years old? Why do you think my mother couldn’t live up to 92? Tinubu was the reason. Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy.
He continued: “Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, by the time Tinubu came, it was difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I know most of you won’t believe this.”
Citing national data, Amaechi added, “There are so many persons whose parents have died who themselves are about to die, because by Tinubu’s removal, the NBS said last quarter, we spent N200 billion importing drugs. Forty per cent of finished goods are imported.”
Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026 at 89 and was buried on September 5, 2026, in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Medicine costs in Nigeria have remained high despite a June 2024 executive order from the Tinubu administration granting zero tariffs, excise duties and VAT exemptions on pharmaceutical machinery, equipment and raw materials.
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An August 2025 market survey showed insulin rising 29 percent from N14,000 in June 2024 to N18,000, and a glucometer increasing 41 percent from N20,500 to N29,000.
Metformin rose 30 percent from N500 to N650, while amlodipine climbed 33 percent from N1,800 to N2,400.
Malaria treatment costs nearly doubled, with Coartem up 124 percent from N3,800 to N8,500. Augmentin and Ventolin inhalers recorded modest reductions.
