Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, attempted to distract Rivers people from the burial of the mother of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, following the burial of Late Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi in Ubima, Rivers State.
According to him, the reported decision to hold a political gathering in Ikwerre Local Government Area on the same day and virtually at the same time as Mama Amaechi’s burial was politically motivated.
He, however, said Rivers people demonstrated maturity by ignoring what he described as a needless event and turning out in large numbers to mourn and honour the deceased.
“It is difficult to understand what could motivate an irresponsible political leader to deliberately create a competing political gathering on a day when an important son of Rivers State is burying his mother,” Eze 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.”
Eze further accused Wike of engaging in what he described as “vindictive, divisive and destructive politics,” alleging that his actions were harmful to the peace and unity of Rivers State.
He said the turnout at Mama Amaechi’s burial demonstrated the affection and goodwill enjoyed by the Amaechi family across the state and beyond.
The ADC chieftain commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the ADC presidential candidate, for honouring the Amaechi family.
He also praised former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark; ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, for attending the burial.
Eze also expressed appreciation to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso for attending the ceremony, while commending Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar for her presence and solidarity with the Amaechi family.
Other dignitaries mentioned by Eze as having attended the burial included former Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor; former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; former PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus; former Senator and Silverbird Group founder, Ben Murray-Bruce; former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia; and former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru.
Eze said the presence of political leaders from different backgrounds at the burial demonstrated the respect Mama Amaechi’s family had earned across the country.
He also commended the Rivers State ADC leadership, led by the party’s governorship candidate, Sir Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson, for receiving the visiting dignitaries.
According to him, the events surrounding the burial showed that Rivers people were increasingly rejecting “politics of bitterness, division and vindictiveness” in favour of peace, unity and progress.
“Wike’s alleged attempt to use a competing event to diminish the significance of Mama Amaechi’s burial has collapsed like a pack of cards,” Eze declared.
“The people chose dignity. The people chose compassion. The people chose unity. The people chose to honour a mother.”
He urged Rivers people to determine whether politicians who, in his view, promote division should continue to influence the political destiny of the state.
“Rivers State belongs to its people—not to any individual, no matter how powerful he imagines himself to be,” he said.
Eze also commiserated with Amaechi, his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family and the people of Ubima over the death of Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and for strength for the family to bear the loss.
