The death of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi has brought together political leaders from across Nigeria’s often divided political landscape, with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other prominent figures sending messages of condolence to the family of former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

But while the condolence messages reflected rare political consensus, the mourning period has also exposed continuing divisions within Rivers State politics after Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and long-time associate of Amaechi, criticised the absence of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike from the public expressions of sympathy.

The comments were contained in a statement issued on Sunday.

Cross-party condolences

President Bola Tinubu described the late Dame Mary Amaechi as “a woman of deep Catholic faith” whose life was marked by “love, sacrifice, kindness and perseverance.”

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said she lived “an exemplary Christian life” and described her as “a mother to all those who crossed her path.”

The ADC, in a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described her as a matriarch whose influence extended beyond her family through the values she passed to future generations.

Chief Eze also listed condolence visits or messages from political figures including Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, former First Lady Aisha Buhari, Senator David Mark, John Odigie-Oyegun, Rauf Aregbesola, Ali Ndume, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The statement further highlighted visits by traditional ruler Oba Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Most of these condolence messages were independently issued through official statements or verified social media accounts.

Why does this matter?

Condolence visits and public tributes are often viewed in Nigerian politics as expressions of personal respect that transcend party affiliation.

Such occasions frequently bring together rivals who rarely share the same political platform, making them an important measure of political relationships and influence.

Rotimi Amaechi remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures following his emergence as the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

His long-running political rivalry with Wike, once his political ally and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has shaped Rivers State politics for more than a decade.

Against that backdrop, Eze argued that political differences should not prevent expressions of sympathy.

Wike criticism reflects continuing political feud

A significant part of Eze’s statement focused not on Dame Amaechi herself but on what he described as Wike’s failure to publicly identify with the bereaved family.

He said:

“It is most unfortunate, insensitive and deeply disappointing that Nyesom Wike could not deem it necessary to identify with the Amaechi family at this difficult period, especially considering the immense support, encouragement and goodwill he enjoyed from the late Dame Mary Amaechi during the formative years of his political career.”

Eze added:

“Her motherly disposition towards many, including those who later rose to prominence, is well known. It is therefore regrettable that political differences could overshadow the basic human obligation of offering condolences to a grieving family.”

He further argued that compassion “should never become a casualty of politics.”

Rivers political rivalry continues

The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of one of Nigeria’s most enduring political rivalries.

Amaechi and Wike were once close political associates during the administration of former Governor Peter Odili.

Relations later deteriorated, leading to years of public disagreements over the control and political direction of Rivers State.

Their rivalry has continued through changes of government, party defections and the ongoing political tensions involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Political analysts say such disputes continue to shape alliances not only within Rivers State but also in national opposition politics ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Wider implications

The widespread tributes suggest that despite intense political competition, moments of national mourning can still attract expressions of sympathy across party lines.

For now, the focus remains on preparations for Dame Mary Amaechi’s funeral and continued condolences to her family.

The political contest for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election has gathered momentum, with a senior figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, launching a fresh attack on former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while urging voters to back the opposition party.

In a statement issued on Monday, Eze argued that Rivers State’s current political and developmental challenges stem from the outcome of the 2015 governorship election, when Wike defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dakuku Peterside.

Eze claimed that former governor Rotimi Amaechi had warned voters at the time that electing Wike would lead the state “from light to darkness”. He argued that subsequent events had vindicated that warning.

“Unfortunately, through the influence of powerful political forces at the centre and circumstances that remain part of our political history, Rivers State ended up on a path that has brought over eleven years of stagnation, division, insecurity, institutional decline, and the dismantling of many of the visionary programmes that once made Rivers State a model of development in Nigeria.”

Those assertions, however, reflect the ADC chieftain’s political assessment rather than independently verified findings. While Rivers State has experienced prolonged political instability—culminating in a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu earlier in 2025 after an escalating conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Wike—there is no official assessment attributing all of the state’s challenges solely to the outcome of the 2015 election.

Political analysts note that Rivers’ crisis has evolved through several administrations and has been shaped by power struggles within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disputes between political allies, and prolonged institutional conflicts affecting governance.

Eze also argued that Dakuku Peterside’s later tenure as Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) demonstrated the calibre of leadership Rivers State lost in 2015.

“Had Peterside been elected Governor, Rivers State would have consolidated on the developmental foundation laid by the Amaechi administration and emerged as one of Africa’s leading sub-national economies.”

Peterside’s record at NIMASA has attracted both praise and criticism over the years, but there is no objective way to determine how Rivers State would have developed under an alternative administration.

A significant part of Eze’s statement focused on Wike’s reported comments that he would influence who becomes Rivers governor in 2027.

“No individual, regardless of his political influence, owns Rivers State. The era of political godfatherism must come to an end. Any attempt by anyone to impose a Governor on Rivers people is not only undemocratic but a direct assault on the sovereignty of the electorate. Rivers people must reject such a devilish agenda with every democratic means available to them.”

The comments come amid growing debate over political succession in Rivers State. Wike remains one of Nigeria’s most influential politicians and has repeatedly insisted he retains significant political support in the state. His critics argue that such influence encourages political godfatherism, while supporters maintain that endorsements are a legitimate part of democratic politics.

Eze also argued that governorship power has remained largely within Rivers State’s upland political bloc since 1999, citing the administrations of Peter Odili, Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike.

He said the ADC’s governorship candidate, Dr Gabriel Pidomson, offers an opportunity to broaden political representation because he comes from Ogoniland, which has never produced a governor.

“Supporting such a candidacy would not only promote equity but also deepen unity and strengthen the bonds of peaceful coexistence across the State.”

Questions over zoning, ethnic inclusion and equitable distribution of political offices have featured prominently in Rivers politics for decades. Although no constitutional provision requires governorship rotation among ethnic groups, advocates argue that broader representation could reduce political tensions.

Eze described Pidomson as capable of leading the state and praised his running mate, Dr Okumgba David Amapaka, as a competent administrator.

Those remarks represent the ADC’s political endorsement and have not been independently assessed.

The ADC has recently attracted several high-profile politicians seeking to build an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. Whether the party can translate that momentum into electoral success in Rivers remains uncertain, particularly against established parties with stronger grassroots structures.

For voters, the emerging campaign is likely to focus on governance, infrastructure, economic development, security and the lingering effects of the prolonged political crisis. It is also expected to revive debate over the legacy of successive administrations and whether Rivers should pursue political continuity or a change of direction.

Neither Wike nor representatives of his political camp responded within the statement to Eze’s allegations. Their response would be necessary to present a fuller picture of the claims made against them.

As campaigning intensifies, election observers say scrutiny of policy proposals, governance records and verifiable evidence—rather than political rhetoric alone—will be central to informing voters ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to allow the release of records held by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ), arguing that public access to the files would help address lingering questions about his past.

The statement follows an earlier response from the Presidency, through presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, which reportedly argued that issues relating to Tinubu’s past US narcotics case had long been resolved and were no longer relevant.

Why it matters

The renewed exchange highlights how allegations surrounding President Tinubu’s past continue to feature in Nigeria’s political debate, particularly on issues of transparency, accountability and public trust.

The matter has also drawn attention because it concerns records held by US authorities, making it an issue that extends beyond domestic politics and could influence Nigeria’s international image.

Atiku camp questions Presidency’s position

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Atiku Media Office accused the Presidency of attempting to “bury the records of the narcotics trafficking case against Bola Tinubu in the US.”

The statement said: “We are shocked that the Presidency would claim that the narcotics trafficking charges against Tinubu have ‘long been settled’ and rendered moot by an electoral mandate.”

It added: “This argument essentially admits that Tinubu indeed faced investigation on narcotics trafficking, but suggests that his current position as President grants him immunity, thereby wiping the records of his links to the heroin scandal clean.”

The Atiku camp also questioned why the Presidency was resisting renewed public interest in the documents.

It said: “If the case against their principal is truly time-barred, why are they so panicky about any attempt to revisit it? Why is President Tinubu blocking every move to unravel what is in his FBI/DOJ US files?”

Reputation and accountability

According to the statement, the office of the President carries responsibilities that extend beyond politics.

It argued: “The Office of the President is more than a mere political position. It is an office that mirrors the soul of the society it governs.”

The statement further claimed that allegations surrounding the President continue to affect Nigeria’s international reputation, saying: “Having an alleged ex-trafficker in that office inflicts serious reputational damage on Nigeria’s image and on every Nigerian on the global stage.”

Calls for further scrutiny

The Atiku Media Office maintained that criminal investigations can be revisited where new circumstances exist.

It stated: “The Presidency’s media team should be reminded that issues of criminal justice are never completely thrown out. They can be revisited at any material time, especially when new circumstances arise.”

The statement added that the change of administration in the United States since 2023 should not prevent law enforcement agencies from determining whether any further action is necessary.

It concluded by urging President Tinubu to cooperate with any process that could provide greater public clarity.

“If President Tinubu has nothing to hide about his records in the US narcotics scandal, he should submit himself to the process of revisiting the case instead of resorting to his usual tactics — frustrating disclosures through frivolous court appeals or deploying his media team to issue long, hollow essays aimed at rewriting history for personal gain,” the statement said.

Expert perspective

Constitutional and governance analysts have consistently argued that transparency over issues involving public office holders is essential for strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.

Legal experts, however, also note that allegations alone do not amount to proof of criminal liability, and that any review of past matters would ultimately depend on the applicable laws and the decisions of the relevant judicial or law enforcement authorities.

Public and political reactions

The exchange reflects the continued political contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition, with both sides using public statements to defend their positions.

Supporters of the opposition say greater transparency would strengthen public trust, while supporters of the Presidency argue that the issue has been addressed repeatedly and should not distract from governance.

What happens next?

Whether additional US records become publicly available or any authority decides to revisit past investigations remains uncertain.

The Presidency has maintained that previous legal matters involving President Tinubu have been settled, while the opposition continues to demand fuller disclosure of documents held by US agencies.