A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has said an alleged attempt by former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to distract residents from the burial of the mother of former governor Rotimi Amaechi has failed.
Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), said Rivers people demonstrated maturity and respect for the late Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi by turning out in large numbers to mourn and honour the deceased at Ubima.
In a statement issued on Friday, Eze alleged that the scheduling of a competing political gathering in Ikwerre Local Government Area on the same day as the burial was politically motivated and intended to diminish the significance of the ceremony.
He said, “If the intention was, as widely alleged, to distract Rivers people or frustrate the attendance of mourners at Ubima, then the plot has failed woefully.”
According to him, the turnout at the burial and the presence of prominent Nigerians from across political and geographical divides demonstrated the goodwill enjoyed by the Amaechi family.
Eze said the gathering provided an opportunity for Nigerians to put political differences aside and commiserate with Amaechi and his family over the loss of their matriarch.
He particularly commended former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who he described as the ADC presidential candidate, for honouring the Amaechi family.
The ADC chieftain also acknowledged the presence of former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; ADC National Secretary, Senator Rauf Aregbesola; and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
He further appreciated Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso for attending the burial, describing their presence as evidence that political considerations could be set aside in moments of grief.
Other dignitaries acknowledged by Eze included former Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; former Edo governor and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; Senator Ben Murray-Bruce; former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; and former Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Tele Ikuru.
Eze said the attendance of the dignitaries was “a powerful testimony to the respect and goodwill that Mama Amaechi’s family has earned across Nigeria.”
He also commended the ADC leadership in Rivers State, led by the party’s governorship candidate, Sir Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson, for the reception accorded the visiting dignitaries.
According to him, the development further demonstrated the growing acceptance of the ADC in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eze said the events surrounding the burial had shown that “the politics of bitterness, division and vindictiveness cannot permanently prevail over the desire of our people for peace, unity and progress.”
He urged Rivers people to remain focused on issues capable of promoting peace, development and unity in the state, rather than allowing political disagreements to divide them.
“Rivers State belongs to its people — not to any individual, no matter how powerful he imagines himself to be,” Eze said.
He commiserated with Amaechi, his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, members of the Amaechi family and the people of Ubima over the death of Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi.
He prayed that God would grant the family the strength to bear the loss and grant the deceased eternal rest.
