By Eric Elezuo
From the palatial home of the former Rivers State Governor, two-term Minister of Transport and Vice Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to the Corpu Christi Catholic Church, on Aba Road, Port Harcourt to the Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, his country home, the affection was unprecedented as crowd of mourners, sympathisers and well wishers, gathered in solidarity to mourn Madam Mary Orduah Amaechi, who died at the age of 89, on July 16, 2026.
Madam Amaechi was the beloved mother of the prominent politician, and what could have ordinarily passed for a burial ceremony, fast became a gathering of political bigwigs in the country.
The funeral events, which kick-started on Friday, September 4, with a vigil mass and concluded on September 5, with the interment of the octogenarian after a funeral service, witnessed a large turn out of dignitaries, including former Vice presidents Atiku Abubakar and his wife, Titi Abubakar, and Yemi Osinbajo.
Other dignitaries in attendance were Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi; former Senate President, and National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark; Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, National Secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola Dr. Donald Duke, Senator Dino Melaye, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Senator Chris Ngige, former Rivers State governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; and former deputy governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke; former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; NDC vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former Edo State governor and senator, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, and many others.
Describing his mother as a woman with strong faith, dignity and human kindness, Amaechi said she would be sorely missed. He thanked everyone, who came from far and wide, especially members of the ADC family, led by the Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to stand with him in the period of grief, and wished all God’s nerves as they journey back to their various homes.
On their part, ADC said the leaders joined Amaechi and his family “to pay their final respects and stand with the Amaechi family in their time of grief.”
The remains of Dame Amaechi were interred in her home at Ubima, as her children and other loved ones watched in quiet grief mixed with respect and admiration.