Heavy Security in Rivers as Wike, Amaechi Hold Rival Events Amid Political Tension

Heavy Security in Rivers as Wike, Amaechi Hold Rival Events Amid Political Tension

Heavy security operatives took over Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday as political rivals Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi held simultaneous events, raising fears of a violent confrontation between their supporters.

A large contingent of armed policemen and other security agents were deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Amaechi, the vice presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was in town for the burial of his mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Orduah Amaechi. Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), attended a grand reception organised by his political group, the Rainbow Coalition.

The funeral service at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, drew a large crowd of sympathizers from within and outside the state. Among the dignitaries were former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, ADC National Chairman Chief David Mark, and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN). In a remarkable display of cross-party solidarity, opposition figures including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso also attended the funeral.

An equally large crowd thronged the Rainbow Coalition reception venue. Tension had mounted across the state over the possibility of a breakdown of law and order during the two events, prompting the security deployment. The ADC had earlier raised an alarm that Wike planned to disrupt access to Ubima by holding his reception in Omagwa on the same day, alleging he had conspired with the Ikwerre LGA Chairman to create a situation that could restrict movement along the road leading to Ubima. Despite the tension, no ugly development was reported during the events.

In his sermon during the funeral service, 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 society. Eluke reminded the congregation that “election is an opportunity for the people to choose who they want to lead them,” adding that “Nigeria needs peace and we need leaders who can disagree but arrive at a point that will be beneficial to all.”

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Speaking at the Rainbow Coalition reception, Wike fired a fresh broadside at Amaechi, accusing him of working against the interest of Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone. 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 in project allocation during Amaechi’s tenure as Transportation Minister.

Wike quoted Amaechi’s 2014 definition of brotherhood, saying: “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.” He asked: “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?”

The minister also revisited the Vice-Chancellor appointment process at the University of Port Harcourt, citing the case of Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, noting that Amaechi disappointed Rivers people by failing to rally behind an eminent scholar from the local government area.

Wike hailed President Bola Tinubu for federal appointments and interventions in Rivers State, declaring: “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.” He told the crowd: “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.”

Addressing governors who claimed the Rainbow Coalition would reduce President Tinubu’s votes in 2027, Wike insisted the coalition would actually increase his electoral support. “People who don’t have capacity, what are you doing there? If you have capacity and you are talking like that, we have the capacity; it will not reduce any votes; votes will increase,” he said. Wike noted that Tinubu got less than 5% in some of the complaining governors’ states in 2023.

Wike also predicted that Amaechi would be forced to urge his supporters to boycott the 2027 election before noon on election day, saying: “No more battalions of soldiers and police. It is now we the battalion of people that will come out.” He cast doubt on Amaechi’s ability to secure votes even in his home base, saying: “If he wins his village, Ubima, then he has won the election. That’s if he will win his own polling unit.”

In his welcome address, Ikwerre Local Government Chairman Charles Nwobodo declared that the area was “locked down” for President Tinubu, Wike, and the APC governorship candidate O.K. Chinda ahead of the 2027 general election. He vowed that Ikwerre would deliver “100 per cent” support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.

The ADC has previously responded to Wike’s attacks on Amaechi, describing them as a sign of fear of growing opposition. The party’s Rivers State Chairman, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, said Wike’s attempt to rewrite political history will not erase the fact that Amaechi remains one of the most consequential political leaders to emerge from the state. The ADC argued that Wike’s outbursts reveal anxiety rather than confidence, and that every election is unique.

Heavy Security in Rivers as Wike, Amaechi Hold Rival Events Amid Political Tension