The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its response to former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi’s reported difficulty in affording medication for his late mother.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, described the APC statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, as “a display of political cruelty” and accused the ruling party of turning a family’s bereavement into partisan ridicule.
Shaibu stated this in a post on his X platform on Sunday.
He said Morka’s criticism of Amaechi missed the broader issue of Nigerians struggling to afford healthcare, food and other basic necessities.
“If Rotimi Amaechi says he struggled to afford his mother’s medication, the humane response is compassion. The political response is to ask why millions of Nigerians are also being priced out of medicines, food and basic necessities,” he said.
The ADC campaign spokesman also faulted Morka for describing Amaechi as a “loafer” over his alleged financial difficulties after leaving public office.
Shaibu said the comment was indicative of what he described as the APC’s attitude towards Nigerians facing economic hardship.
“Nigerians who cannot afford treatment, keep the lights on or travel safely on their roads are not loafers. They are citizens living through the consequences of a government that has failed them,” he said.
He criticised the Tinubu administration over the state of the economy, roads, electricity, security and public welfare, alleging that Nigerians were experiencing worsening hardship.
“The reality is plain: the roads are bad, the economy is bad, electricity is bad, security is bad and the welfare of the people is bad,” Shaibu said.
He challenged the APC to explain what he described as the poor condition of roads across the country, particularly in the South-East.
“Instead of sneering at Amaechi, Morka should explain why Nigerians face dangerous journeys on roads meant to connect communities and support trade,” he said.
Shaibu alleged that the condition of roads in parts of the South-East had made transportation increasingly difficult, and questioned how long Nigerians would continue to endure unsafe journeys.
He also criticised the Federal Government over public spending, arguing that increased expenditure had not translated into affordable healthcare, reliable electricity and safe roads for many Nigerians.
“The APC cannot boast about trillions in public spending while Nigerians lack safe roads, reliable electricity and affordable healthcare,” he said.
Shaibu said the performance of any government should be measured by whether citizens could live safely, access healthcare and earn decent livelihoods.
“The test of government is not how viciously its spokesmen can insult their opponents. It is whether people can live safely, afford treatment and earn a decent living,” he said.
He urged Morka to explain the Federal Government’s record to Nigerians, while calling for respect for Amaechi’s family during its period of bereavement.
Shaibu also linked the controversy to the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to use the election to determine the direction of the country.
“Nigerians owe themselves the resolve to make 2027 a turning point, so that the poverty and insecurity associated with Tinubu’s rule do not become the country’s future,” he said.
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