“A Mother Was Being Buried, Wike Was Talking 2027!” — Dalung Blasts FCT Minister, Challenges Tinubu

By Passman Akpos

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has launched a blistering criticism of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a political reception he held in Rivers State on the same day former Governor Rotimi Amaechi buried his mother, Dame Mary Orduah Amaechi.

Amaechi’s mother was buried on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, while Wike served as guest of honour at a political reception organised by his supporters and the Rainbow Coalition at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa, also in Ikwerre LGA.

The development has triggered fresh controversy over the long-running political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi.

Dalung, in a strongly worded reaction, questioned the decision to hold a major political gathering in a neighbouring community on the day Amaechi was laying his mother to rest.

“A mother was being buried. Not a political opponent. Not an election. Not a campaign rally. A mother,” Dalung said.

According to him, political disagreements should not erase basic human decency, insisting that there must be moments when political competition gives way to respect for grief and bereavement.

“You can fight your opponent politically. You can expose him. You can defeat him at the polls. You can disagree with him on everything. But there should be places where even your enemy is entitled to dignity.

“Death should be one of them.”

The controversy was heightened by reports that Wike used the Omagwa gathering to launch fresh political attacks against Amaechi, including criticism of his record as Transportation Minister and his role in the 2015 elections.

Dalung particularly questioned the appropriateness of discussing electoral battles on a day Amaechi was burying his mother.

“Imagine that. A man is burying his mother, and your overriding political message on that particular day is that you will defeat him at the polls,” he said.

Road Restrictions Trigger Fresh Controversy

The timing of the event was not the only issue generating political reactions.

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that the political reception, including a reported wrestling event, was deliberately organised in a manner that disrupted access to Ubima.

The party also alleged that security personnel restricted movement along the Omagwa–Ubima route, thereby creating difficulties for mourners travelling to the funeral.

However, the allegations have not been established as fact, and there is no confirmed evidence that Wike personally ordered any security restriction.

Reports indicated a heavy security presence and partial barricading around the area, but no major violent incident was reported despite the heightened political tension.

Dalung urged that any allegation involving the use of security agencies should be properly investigated rather than treated as established fact.

“Who Can Tell Wike Enough?”

Beyond the immediate controversy, Dalung questioned the extent of Wike’s political influence under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He argued that Wike’s current political strength is closely connected to the confidence and political protection he enjoys at the highest level of government.

According to Dalung, the bigger issue is not whether Wike can defeat or outmanoeuvre Amaechi politically, but whether there is anyone within the government capable of setting limits on the minister’s conduct.

“The most important question is not whether Wike can intimidate Amaechi. The question is whether anyone above Wike can tell him: enough,” Dalung said.

He challenged President Tinubu to demonstrate that political alliances and calculations cannot override institutional responsibility.

“The President may have his political calculations. Wike may be useful to him. They may share interests and political objectives. But there must be a point at which political usefulness gives way to institutional responsibility,” he said.

Dalung warned that the situation becomes more troubling if public institutions or security agencies are perceived to be involved in personal political battles.

He said a serving minister should not be allowed to turn political rivalry into what could be perceived as a matter involving the machinery of government.

“This Is Not About Amaechi”

Dalung also sought to distance his position from political loyalty to Amaechi, saying he had disagreed with the former Rivers governor in the past.

“I have disagreed with Amaechi politically in the past, just as I have disagreed with Wike on many things. None of that matters here,” he said.

He insisted that the same principle should apply regardless of political affiliation.

“If tomorrow Wike loses a parent, I would expect the same dignity to be accorded to him. If Atiku Abubakar were to lose a parent, the same principle would apply. If Peter Obi were to lose a parent, the same. If Tinubu himself were mourning, the same,” Dalung said.

“For there are some things bigger than politics. Death is one of them.”

The former minister argued that Nigeria’s political culture risks becoming increasingly dangerous when political victory is placed above basic standards of human conduct.

“If political victory requires us to lose every instinct of decency along the way, then perhaps we should ask ourselves what exactly we are celebrating,” he said.

Tinubu Challenged to Draw the Line

Dalung ultimately directed his strongest appeal at President Tinubu, asking the President to establish clear boundaries around the exercise of political power.

“Politics should have opponents. It should not have enemies whose grief we are prepared to desecrate,” he said.

“Mr President, this is one place where you need to draw the line.

“Political power must have limits. Call Wike to order before it’s too late.”

The controversy is expected to further fuel the decades-long political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, two of the most prominent political figures to emerge from Rivers State.

Amaechi’s burial attracted several prominent Nigerian political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, among others.

The unfolding debate has now moved beyond the personal feud between Wike and Amaechi, raising broader questions about political rivalry, the use of public institutions and whether Nigerian politics still recognises certain boundaries that should remain sacred even between bitter political opponents.