Aniefiok Christopher
Tension was defused between supporters of the vice presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and those of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike at concurrent events in Ubima on Saturday.
Amaechi was in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State for the burial of his mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Orduah Amaechi while Wike was in the same town for a grand reception by his political group, the Rainbow Coalition.
The funeral service held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church drew such sympathisers as the former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, national chairman of the party, Chief David Mark and former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Other prominent citizens at Ubima for the funeral were the National Secretary of ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbosola; Senator Ireti Kingibe; General Tunde Ogbeha and ADC stalwarts Emeka Ihedioha, Great Ogboru and John Oyegun.
An equally large number of people also thronged the venue of the Rainbow Coalition reception
Tension had mounted across the state over the possibility of a breakdown of law and order during the two events, hence the deployment of the security personnel.
While there was no reported ugly development during the events, Wike, speaking at the reception of Rainbow Coalition which he heads, fired a fresh broadside at Amaechi for allegedly working against the interest of the people of Rivers State and the South-South geo-political zone in the past.
The FCT Minister cited Amaechi’s role in the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election and what he termed the marginalization of Rivers State by the former Transportation Minister in the allocation of projects while in office.
He said: “In 2014, Amaechi defined who a brother is. Other speakers didn’t want to call his name. Well, I have the capacity to call his name all the time.
“Amaechi defined a brother as one who identifies with us in terms of problems. He said brotherhood is not blood relation. So, we are going to copy that definition for the 2027 presidential election.
“When Jonathan was the President, it was then our brother defined the meaning of brotherhood. He said Jonathan never cared for us and therefore Jonathan could not become our brother. Who was then our brother?
“Amaechi said Jonathan never cared for us and that Buhari was our brother because he would identify with us. If that’s the case, he now wants to run for Vice President.”
“We want to ask: what happened all that time you were the Minister of Transport? Did he relate with us? Did he think about our problem? Did he bring anything here?”
Wike also revisited the controversial appointment process for the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, citing the case of Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu.
He said Rivers people had Amaechi, who was then a Minister to rally behind an eminent scholar from the local government area but he disappointed them.
He said: “Remember when our brother, our son, was vying to become the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt—Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, an eminent scholar—we thought there was hope that he would become Vice-Chancellor because we had a Minister of Transport.
“Again, we had the chairman of the governing council who was from Emohua. But our brother never became the Vice-Chancellor.”
The minister said Rivers people would not abandon the principle of brotherhood simply because the consequences of its application have become politically inconvenient.
“That is why we are talking about defining brotherhood as he defined it. And we are going to follow that definition until he tells us that it is no longer the meaning of brotherhood. Nobody should blame us. That definition was a very good one and now we are going to implement it,” Wike said.
Wike hailed President Bola Tinubu for what he has done for Rivers State, saying he has earned the loyalty of the people.
He cited federal appointments and interventions which he said demonstrated that Tinubu truly identifies with Rivers and its people.
Wike declared: “Now Tinubu came and gave us the Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT. This means that Tinubu is our brother. Tinubu came and gave us the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment in Ogoni. This means Tinubu is our brother.”
According to him, the decision by Rivers political leaders and supporters to back Tinubu was therefore not based on sentiment but on the practical test of political friendship and performance.
He said: “We have adopted him as our brother because he related with us and because he identified with our problems. And that is why we are saying Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will vote for you come 2027.”
He warned those unhappy with the growing alliance between Rivers political leaders and the President not to blame him for the standard being used.
“So, nobody should be angry because I did not define brotherhood. Amaechi defined it,” Wike said.
“Know it on the 16th of February. It will not be up to 11 in the morning. Amaechi will tell his people to boycott the election. There is no way he will win the election. When he was Minister he came with battalions of soldiers and battalions of police.
“No more battalions of soldiers and police. It is now we the battalion of people that will come out. All of us were witnesses to it. He was coming as if he were the commander in Chief, intimidating our people. Now he will come alone.”
He said: “I was astonished to see the mammoth support from Ikwerre. To God be the glory, I won Ikwerre in that election of 2015. It was not easy, but you all stood firm and supported me. That is why I say in all my political activities, I will continue to relate with the people of Ikwerre.”
In his welcome address, the Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Charles Nwobodo, described the FCT Minister as a “man of doings” whose leadership and capacity had continued to inspire the people.
“We are here to tell you that this is a preparation for the campaign. Ikwerre is locked down for you, for President Tinubu, O.K. Chinda and all the candidates,” he said.
Nwobodo dismissed claims by rival political interests that they had a strong foothold in the area, expressing confidence that the existing political structure would once again secure victory.
He vowed that Ikwerre would deliver “100 per cent” support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Amaechi’s mother’s funeral: Clergy tells political office holders to Make peace with all
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Port Harcourt, Patrick Eluke, implored political office holders to use such opportunities to make peace with all men and protect the most vulnerable members of the society.
Eluke, in his sermon during the funeral service for Dame Ezinne Amaechi, reminded the congregation that “election is an opportunity for the people to choose who they want to lead them.
He noted that “Nigeria needs peace and we need leaders who can only disagree but arrive at a point that will be beneficial to all”.
The clergyman warned that in the looming election “no political office should be used to destroy one another or the community”.
Eluke described the deceased as a generous, loving, kind and sweet mother.
He said she was a God fearing woman, who bequeathed those good virtues of taking God first in every human endeavor, into her children before she died.
In his vote of thanks, Amaechi expressed great delight to his numerous friends, who travelled from all over the country and oversees to honour his late mother, adding that “losing our mother has been very hard and your words provided comfort”.
