By Olusegun Samuel Precious
Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has commended the people of Rivers State for shunning what he described as a politically motivated event organized to distract from the funeral of Late Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi.
In a press statement issued on Friday, Eze condemned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of attempting to counter-program a political gathering in Ikwerre Local Government Area on the same day the mother of former Rivers Governor and ADC Vice Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, was laid to rest in Ubima.
“The decision to schedule such an event on the very day Rivers people gathered in Ubima to mourn and honour Mama Amaechi is a further demonstration of vindictive and divisive politics,” Eze said, noting that the alleged attempt to diminish attendance at the burial failed as citizens prioritized showing respect to the bereaved family.
Eze expressed gratitude to the dignitaries across various political divides who attended the burial ceremony, including ADC Presidential Candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his wife, Titi Abubakar; former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark; National Secretary Senator Rauf Aregbesola; and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
He also acknowledged the presence of prominent national leaders including Sir Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Edo State Governors Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor and 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 Tele Ikuru.
Reaffirming the party’s growing presence in the state under its governorship candidate, Dr. Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson, Eze stated that the overwhelming turnout in Ubima demonstrated that the electorate favors unity and dignity over political friction.
Eze concluded by offering his continued condolences to Rotimi Amaechi, his wife Dame Judith Amaechi, and the entire Ubima community, praying for the peaceful repose of the matriarch’s soul.
