Peter Obi, Duke, others join Amaechi at late mother’s vigil Mass

Peter Obi and Donald Duke were among prominent Nigerians who joined former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at a memorial vigil Mass for his late mother, Mary Orduah-Amaechi, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Mass took place at Corpus Christi Cathedral ahead of Mrs Amaechi’s burial. She died peacefully at the age of 89, according to a statement from her son’s media office. Her family described her as a devout Christian and a respected community and Christian leader known for her kindness, warmth and support for others.

The gathering included political figures from several opposition platforms. Obi is a presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, while Duke is running for president under the Peoples Redemption Party. Amaechi, a former transportation minister, is the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Other attendees included former Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige and Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the NDC’s Rivers State governorship candidate. Titi Abubakar, wife of ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and other political associates had also arrived in Port Harcourt for the burial.

Mrs Amaechi will be buried on Saturday at Ubima, the family’s ancestral home in Ikwerre Local Government Area. Amaechi served as speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, governed the state from 2007 to 2015 and later served as transportation minister from 2015 to 2023.