Wike Explains Absence From Amaechi’s Mother’s Burial: “I Expected Him to Write Me”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why he did not attend the burial of the mother of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, saying he expected Amaechi to formally inform him of his mother’s death.

Wike explained while speaking in a recent interview, amid controversy over his absence from the September 5, 2026, burial of Dame Ezinne Mary Orduah Amaechi in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to the FCT Minister, he was not personally informed by Amaechi about the death.

“I was expecting Amaechi to write to me telling me about his mother’s death. But Amaechi never wrote to me or told me that he lost his mother. Whatever happened on the day of the burial was because I was not aware,” Wike said.

Dame Amaechi, who was 89, died on July 16, 2026. Her funeral Mass was held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, on September 5, followed by her interment in the community.

The burial attracted prominent political figures from across the country, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Senate President and ADC National Chairman David Mark, former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, Rauf Aregbesola, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha and other political leaders.

Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara were, however, absent from the funeral.

The FCT Minister was instead in Omagwa, also in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he attended a civic reception organised in his honour by associates and local political supporters. The event coincided with the burial in nearby Ubima and attracted significant political attention.

The simultaneous events generated criticism from the Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which questioned the decision to hold a reception for Wike on the same day as Amaechi’s mother’s funeral. The party had also raised concerns about movement along the Omagwa-Ubima road because of the events.

Wike, however, has maintained that he could not be compelled to attend the burial or offer condolences, and questioned why he should be expected to extend gestures of sympathy when, according to his position, similar gestures had not previously been extended to him by the other side.

The controversy has further highlighted the longstanding political differences between Wike and Amaechi, two former governors of Rivers State who are both from the Ikwerre area.

At the funeral, the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke, used his homily to call on political leaders to embrace peace and use public office to promote the common good. He urged politicians to disagree without destroying one another or their communities, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Amaechi, in his vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to political leaders, friends and associates who travelled to Ubima to mourn with his family and honour his late mother.

Wike’s latest explanation has added another dimension to the controversy surrounding his absence, with the issue continuing to attract differing interpretations against the backdrop of the longstanding political rivalry between the two former Rivers governors.