The police have allegedly blocked part of the Omagwa road leading to Ubima, the hometown of former Rivers State  Governor Rotimi Amaechi, as mourners and dignitaries arrive for the burial of his late mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi.

The allegation was made by Chizi Enyi, the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a video shared on Saturday.

Enyi claimed that the police barricaded a section of the major road linking Omagwa to Ubima, saying the development was affecting movement to the community where Amaechi’s mother is scheduled to be buried.

The Nigerian Police have helped Wike to block a Section of the Omagwa road in Rivers State and this is major road leading to Ubima, for the burial of Rotimi Amaechi’s Late Mother,” Enyi said.

According to him, the affected area is the same location in Ikwerre Local Government Area where a political gathering organised in honour of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is taking place.

Enyi alleged that the police had barricaded an entire lane of the road, causing traffic congestion and making movement towards Ubima difficult for motorists and mourners attending the burial.

The ADC spokesman had earlier accused Wike of working with the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Charles Wobodo, to organise a reception in Omagwa on the same day as Amaechi’s mother’s burial.

“We got credible information that Wike has conspired with the Ikwerre LGA Chairman to hold a reception in his honour at Omagwa and they have mobilized the people to do a wrestling competition,” Enyi had said.

He alleged that the event could affect access to Ubima because of the proximity between the two communities and the expected movement of mourners and political leaders.

The essence of the reception tomorrow at Omagwa is to shutdown the access road leading to Ubima, the home town of HE. Rotimi Amaechi,” the ADC spokesman alleged.

Enyi, however, maintained that the reported development would not stop the burial from taking place.

“The mother of Rotimi Amaechi will be laid to rest and no matter what, nothing can stop it,” he said.

Dame Mary Amaechi, who died at the age of 89, is scheduled to be buried in Ubima on Saturday. The funeral Mass is expected to begin at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ubima, with the interment to follow immediately at the Amaechi family residence.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has arrived in Rivers State to attend the burial. Atiku is the presidential candidate of the ADC for the 2027 election, while Amaechi is his running mate.

The former vice president had visited Amaechi at his residence in Abuja in July to offer his condolences following the death of his mother.

The burial has attracted prominent political figures from across the country, including former Anambra State Governor and ADC presidential candidate Peter Obi, who attended the wake-keeping and service of songs held on Friday at Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral in Port Harcourt.

Also present at the service were former Edo State Governor and senator, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor; former Edo State Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus; former senator and Silverbird Group founder, Ben Murray-Bruce; former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru.

Obi had earlier expressed his condolences to Amaechi following the death of his mother.

“My Condolences to Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the Passing of His Mother,” Obi wrote.

“My dear brother, I was saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved mother. Losing a parent, especially a matriarch who contributed so much to her family and community is a profound loss that words can scarcely comfort.”

He added, “On behalf of my family, I extend our deepest condolences to you, the entire Amaechi family, and all who are mourning this monumental loss.”

President Bola Tinubu also mourned the deceased, describing her as “a champion of faith whose life was marked by humility and selfless service to humanity.”

“My heartfelt condolences to Rt. Hon. Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, the Catholic faithful, and the government and people of Rivers State over the loss of Dame Ezinne Amaechi. May Almighty God grant her soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her passing at this difficult time,” Tinubu said.

Other prominent Nigerians who have visited Amaechi or expressed condolences include former Senate President David Mark, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Osun State  Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

Wike is listed as the guest of honour at the civic reception in Omagwa, which is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at St. Martins Anglican Church.

The simultaneous events have drawn attention because of the long-standing political differences between Wike and Amaechi, who were both governors of Rivers State at different times.

Amaechi served as governor from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Wike succeeded him as governor and later became FCT minister under President Bola Tinubu.