The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has condemned political activities organised in honour of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on the same day former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, buried his mother, describing the development as “executive rascality” and political insensitivity taken too far.
Amaechi’s mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Orduah Amaechi, who died at 89, was buried last Saturday in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. On the same day, the City Boys Movement held events in honour of Wike at Omagwa, also in Ikwerre LGA and a few kilometres from the burial venue.
The development sparked criticism from political actors, civil society voices and Amaechi supporters, who accused Wike’s camp of turning a day of mourning into a political gathering. There were also reports that hoodlums and security personnel occupied one lane of the Port Harcourt-Omagwa-Elele road, causing traffic disruptions for mourners and other dignitaries travelling to and from Ubima.
Rivers ADC Chairman, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, described the development as insensitive and provocative. He accused Wike of allegedly using the Omagwa event to taunt Amaechi and boast that the former governor would be defeated in Rivers State before noon on election day.
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“Boasting does not win an election,” Dimkpa said, insisting that no politician could determine an election outcome through intimidation or influence.
“No amount of boasting, intimidation, or political strongmen can announce results in advance. Rivers people will vote, and their votes will be counted. It is INEC and not Wike that will declare the winner,” he said.
Dimkpa questioned why Wike and Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Charles Wobodo, chose to hold a political reception on the same day Amaechi was burying his mother. He said the reported road obstruction and political activities amounted to unnecessary provocation.
“There is a time for politics and a time for humanity,” he said, adding that the ADC deliberately refrained from responding on the day of the burial because its focus was on giving Amaechi’s mother a befitting farewell.
Amaechi’s political ally, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, and Rights Watch activist Charles Jaja Mietamuno also criticised the event, with Eze describing the decision to hold political activities near the burial venue as un-African and disrespectful to the bereaved family.
The burial attracted prominent Nigerians across political divides, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other political leaders.
The ADC also expressed concern over Wike’s reported remarks about the 2027 elections, urging security agencies, INEC and Nigerians to pay attention to statements that could be interpreted as attempts to intimidate voters or predetermine election outcomes.
Wike and the organisers of the Omagwa event had not formally responded to the allegations as of the time of filing the report.
The controversy has further exposed the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, two former Rivers governors whose relationship has significantly shaped the politics of the state for more than a decade.
