PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has commended Rivers State residents for what he described as a show of maturity and solidarity during the burial of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, mother of former Rivers State Governor and ADC Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), said the turnout at the burial in Ubima reflected the goodwill and respect enjoyed by the Amaechi family across political and social divides.
In a statement issued on Saturday, he also criticised the decision to hold a separate political gathering involving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, on the same day.
Eze alleged that the timing of the event was politically motivated and intended to compete with or distract attention from the burial. He did not, however, provide independent evidence in the statement to establish that such an intention was behind the Omagwa gathering.
The separate event had attracted political attention because it coincided with the burial in nearby Ubima, with ADC figures raising concerns about possible disruption to movement around the area.
Eze praised the political leaders who attended the burial, saying their presence demonstrated that political differences could be set aside during moments of personal loss.
He specifically acknowledged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election, for identifying with the Amaechi family.
He also commended former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Senate President and ADC National Chairman David Mark; ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola; and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami for attending the ceremony.
The ADC chieftain further acknowledged the presence of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, describing their participation as evidence of solidarity across political lines.
Other personalities mentioned by Eze 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 Ben Murray-Bruce, former Rivers State Governor Celestine Omehia and former Rivers State Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru.
He also expressed appreciation to Chief Mrs. Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar for joining other Nigerians to mourn with the Amaechi family.
Eze said the gathering provided an opportunity for Nigerians from different political, ethnic and geographical backgrounds to identify with the bereaved family.
He also commended the Rivers State ADC leadership, led by the party’s governorship candidate, Sir Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson, for receiving political leaders and other guests who attended the burial.
According to him, the turnout at the ceremony demonstrated the importance of allowing moments of grief to transcend political differences.
Eze expressed his condolences to Amaechi, his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, and other members of the family over the death of their mother and matriarch.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased and for God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss.
Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi was buried in Ubima on Saturday following a funeral service attended by political leaders, family members, friends and associates.
