The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, met in Lagos on Wednesday as they attended the funeral service held in honour of the late Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour, the mother of Lagos politician and ADC governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
The two opposition figures were among family members, political associates, friends and sympathisers who gathered to pay their final respects to the deceased, whose passing was announced earlier this month.
Their appearance at the funeral comes a day after Obi attended the Service of Songs organised in memory of Rhodes-Vivour’s mother, where he paid tribute to the deceased and offered words of encouragement to the bereaved family.
Speaking during the service, Obi reflected on the loss and urged those present to live upright lives.
“I will ever have an opportunity of being in this type of sad situation when people are paying wonderful, good tributes of people?
“I say maybe God has a reason why God is taking the best out of us. Because I always say if God was looking for bad people in Nigeria, He would be overwhelmed.
“So if He takes the good one, it’s just to allow those who are remaining to be able to change their ways.
“So may God continue to be with this family and bless them always. And all of us, God bless all of you.”
Obi’s attendance at the memorial events came after some supporters criticised him on social media for not publicly reacting immediately after the death of Rhodes-Vivour’s mother was announced.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour disclosed the passing of his mother, Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour (née Waboso), on July 13 through a statement shared on his official X account.
“With sadness in our hearts and gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the call to glory of Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour (née Waboso),” he wrote.
“A loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. The epitome of love. She will be sorely missed. May her beautiful soul rest in perfect peace.”
The announcement, issued on behalf of the family by Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, was accompanied by a tribute describing the late matriarch as a caring and compassionate woman whose love and kindness left a lasting impact on those around her.
Obi and Rhodes-Vivour were key figures in the Labour Party’s strong performance in Lagos during the 2023 general elections, campaigning together across the state and attracting widespread support, particularly from young voters.
Although both politicians later joined the ADC following the 2023 elections, they eventually took different political paths ahead of the 2027 elections. Obi has since emerged as the presidential candidate of the NDC, while Rhodes-Vivour remained in the ADC.
In May, Rhodes-Vivour declared on X, “I want to make it clear that I am staying in the (ADC).”
After facing criticism from some members of the Obidient movement over his decision not to follow Obi to the NDC, Rhodes-Vivour appealed for patience.
“Thank you so much for the love, the support not just for me, for the movement, for H.E Peter Obi, but also for Nigeria. Please believe that I will never ever take the support of the Obidients for granted,” he wrote.
He added, “I understand how you feel and how you see things in this moment. I only ask you for a bit of time. There is so much I wish I could explain.”
Recalling the criticism he received when he left the Peoples Democratic Party for the Labour Party before the 2023 elections, Rhodes-Vivour said, “I remember how PDP supporters on this App ridiculed and laughed me to scorn when I left to LP in 2022. I remember how that story ended.”
“I only ask that you hold on till the end of the month. I promise you at the end of 2027 we will be closer than we were in 2023,” he added.