Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has praised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi for the burial of his late mother, Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi, while expressing confidence in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), said the attendance of political leaders and other prominent Nigerians at the burial demonstrated what he described as Amaechi’s continued national relevance.

Amaechi is the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate, according to Eze’s statement issued on Thursday, September 10.

Eze praises burial arrangements

In a statement made available to the media, Eze thanked Amaechi for giving his late mother what he described as a “befitting burial”.

He also pointed to the presence of political figures and other dignitaries at the ceremony as evidence of the former governor’s standing within Nigerian politics.

“The calibre of personalities who came to identify with you and your family has once again demonstrated that you remain an acceptable and respected national leader.”

Eze also commended Dame Judith Amaechi for what he described as the strong representation of women leaders at the burial.

He said their participation added significance to the ceremony.

ADC leaders praised

The ADC chieftain also acknowledged the participation of Rivers State political figures, including the party’s state chairman, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa.

He praised other ADC leaders, supporters, friends and associates whom he said contributed to the success of the burial activities.

Eze specifically mentioned Gabriel Pidomson, whom he described as the “incoming Governor of Rivers State”, and Chief David Amapakaye Okumgba, whom he identified as the “incoming Deputy Governor”.

The claims about the political status and future offices of these individuals were made by Eze in his statement and were not independently established in the release.

Eze says 2027 project is on course

The statement also shifted from the burial to the ADC’s political preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Eze said the calibre of people involved in the Rivers State chapter of the party, alongside what he described as the commitment of its supporters, gave him confidence in its prospects.

“With the calibre of leaders assembled to run the affairs of our great party in Rivers State, coupled with the commitment, unity and dedication demonstrated by our present crop of leaders and supporters, I am confident that our 2027 mission is firmly on course by the grace of God.”

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Eze attacks Wike, urges Amaechi to stay focused

Eze also commented on the political activities of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, urging Amaechi not to be distracted by him.

Wike, who succeeded Amaechi as Rivers State governor in 2015, remains a major figure in the state’s political landscape.

Eze said:

“My advice to our Leader is simple: please do your best to ignore Nyesom Wike and allow us to handle him at our level.”

He further claimed that Wike was becoming politically isolated.

“His latest conduct has only reinforced the impression that he is increasingly becoming politically isolated and behaving like a drowning man who is desperately clutching at every available straw.”

What the statement means for the ADC

The remarks underline the ADC’s effort to position itself as a significant political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the party’s actual electoral prospects will depend on factors including its organisation at state and grassroots levels, candidate selection, alliances, voter support and its ability to translate political activity into votes.

Eze said he remained optimistic about the party’s growing structure in Rivers State and its ability to emerge as a formidable force ahead of the elections.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared that he will not tolerate anti-party activities within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party begins preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Aiyedatiwa also denied allegations that he was encouraging APC members or candidates to defect to other political parties.

“I didn’t tell any candidate to run in any other party,” the governor said at a meeting with APC local government and ward chairmen in Akure on Monday.

He urged the party’s 18 local government and 203 ward chairmen to intensify grassroots mobilisation and work towards securing victory for APC candidates in the elections.

Governor denies anti-party allegations

Aiyedatiwa described allegations that his administration was sponsoring APC members to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties as false.

“I have zero tolerance for anti-party. I have never engaged in anti-party in my life,” he said.

The governor accused those making the allegations of being “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers”.

He said his political history demonstrated his commitment to progressive politics, recalling that he joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD/ACN) at a time when the Labour Party was in government and the PDP was politically strong in his senatorial district and local government.

He also referred to his political experiences between 2010 and 2020, including his emergence as deputy governor and his experience during the 2019 APC primary election.

According to the governor, he won the primary but the result was subsequently overturned by the party leadership in Abuja.

He said the experience taught him the importance of respecting the authority and decisions of party leadership.

APC chairmen tasked with grassroots mobilisation

Aiyedatiwa said the ward chairmen had a particularly important role because elections are ultimately decided at polling units within the wards.

“Elections are won at the polling units. And the polling units are right there in the ward. And you are the ward chairmen,” he said.

He directed ward chairmen and secretaries to hold regular meetings and bring party leaders together to discuss party affairs and preparations for the elections.

He said mobilisation should be the main focus of the meetings, while warning party members against actions that could undermine the APC.

“So, no to anti-party, that’s what I’m trying to say. Let’s support Mr President and all the candidates of our party,” he said.

APC leadership backs governor

APC state chairman Babatunde Kolawole called for loyalty to Aiyedatiwa and the party, describing the governor as the leader of the party in the state.

He urged the local government and ward chairmen to support all APC candidates, saying the governor had directed the party to work towards 100% support for its candidates.

Kolawole also warned that anti-party activities would attract consequences.

He said the party had gathered intelligence on alleged acts of disloyalty and that those found responsible would face sanctions at the appropriate time.

The chairman expressed confidence that APC would win the presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in the state in 2027.

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Party says grassroots structure will be strengthened

Kolawole praised the governor for activating party organs, including the State Executive Committee, Caucus and Elders Council.

He also commended the approval of regular ward meetings, saying they would strengthen the party’s grassroots structure.

According to the chairman, the governor had also approved a 100% increase in the allowances of ward and local government chairmen, while state party executives had also received an increase.

Speaking on behalf of the 18 local government chairmen, Oluwadare Fadumo praised the governor for what he described as unprecedented support for local councils and their residents.

He said government projects and empowerment programmes had benefited market women and young people.

“We want to thank you because this is the first time this is happening in the history of politics in Ondo State,” Mr Fadumo said.

Why the 2027 election preparations matter

The governor’s comments come as political parties across Nigeria begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For the APC in Ondo State, maintaining discipline within its ranks and strengthening its ward-level structures will be important to the party’s efforts to retain political influence in the state.

Aiyedatiwa’s emphasis on polling units also highlights the importance of grassroots organisation, where parties mobilise supporters, coordinate agents and monitor voting during elections.

The governor said feedback from party leaders on his administration’s projects and programmes was encouraging and would motivate the government to accelerate ongoing projects.

He pledged that the administration would work to complete projects within record time.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike of attempting to distract attention from the burial of the mother of former governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Chief Eze said the alleged attempt failed after what he described as the overwhelming turnout of Rivers residents and political leaders at the burial of Dame Mary Oduah Amaechi in Ubima.

His comments were contained in a statement issued on Friday, 4 September 2026, following the burial.

What Eze said happened

According to Chief Eze, a separate political gathering was scheduled in Ikwerre Local Government Area on the same day and around the same time as Mama Amaechi’s burial.

He alleged that the timing was intended to create a competing event and reduce attendance at the burial.

“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 praised Rivers residents for what he called their “maturity, wisdom and respect for the sanctity” of the burial.

He also accused Wike of pursuing what he described as divisive politics in the state.

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Political leaders attend Amaechi family burial

Eze said the burial attracted political figures from different parts of Nigeria and across political divides.

Among those he mentioned were former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former Senate President David Mark, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.

He also commended former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whom he identified as the ADC presidential candidate, for attending the occasion.

Other politicians listed in the statement 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 and former Rivers governor Celestine Omehia.

Chief Eze also mentioned former Rivers deputy governor Tele Ikuru among the dignitaries who attended.

Eze calls for politics to be put aside

The ADC chieftain said the presence of politicians from different backgrounds demonstrated what he described as the importance of setting political differences aside during moments of bereavement.

He also thanked Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar for attending the burial and expressing solidarity with the Amaechi family.

Eze said the reception given to political figures by the Rivers ADC leadership, led by the party’s governorship candidate Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson, showed what he described as the growing acceptance of the ADC in the state.

He concluded by urging Rivers residents to reject what he called “the politics of bitterness, division and vindictiveness”.

Wike and Amaechi’s long-running political rivalry

The statement comes against the background of a long-running political rivalry involving Wike and Amaechi, two prominent figures in Rivers politics.

Wike served as Rivers State governor from 2015 to 2023, succeeding Amaechi, who governed the state between 2007 and 2015.

Their political differences have remained a major feature of Rivers State politics, with their respective supporters frequently trading accusations over the direction of the state.

The latest comments by Eze add another layer to that rivalry as political parties and their supporters position themselves ahead of future elections.

A day centred on mourning

Eze said the attendance at Mama Amaechi’s burial demonstrated that Rivers residents were more interested in honouring the deceased than in political disagreements.

He described the gathering as a demonstration of “dignity”, “compassion” and “unity”.

He also expressed condolences to Rotimi Amaechi, his wife Judith, the wider Amaechi family and the people of Ubima.