The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State staged a massive mobilisation on Friday to welcome its national chairman, Senator David Mark, who was in the state for the burial of Justice Emmanuel Nri Ezedi, a former Chief Judge of Anambra State.
Justice Ezedi was renowned for quashing the impeachment of former Governor Peter Obi by the State House of Assembly in 2006.
ADC supporters, waving party flags, trooped to the Chinua Achebe Airport to receive Senator Mark before his motorcade proceeded to Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, for the burial ceremony.
The entourage was led by ADC’s governorship candidate for the November 8 election, Mr. John Nwosu, his running mate, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, and other top party officials.
The event, held at St James Church, Nri, was presided over by the Archbishop of the Niger and the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim. It attracted prominent political leaders and legal luminaries, including former Governor Peter Obi and current Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Although it was unclear if their meeting was coincidental, Senator Mark and Obi were seen at the airport but travelled in separate vehicles to the venue.
ADC supporters expressed excitement at the sight of both leaders together, speculating that it could signal a future political collaboration within the ADC coalition.
While Senator Mark did not address the gathering, Obi took to his official X handle to eulogise the late jurist.
“I remember vividly the period of my impeachment. At that critical moment, even without any personal acquaintance with me, Justice Nri Ezedi courageously rose above sentiment and external pressure. His judgement was not only of law over arbitrariness, but also a reaffirmation of justice in its purest form,” Obi wrote.
Describing Justice Ezedi as “a towering figure in the legal profession and one of the finest jurists of his generation,” Obi noted that the late judge’s landmark ruling restored him to office and set a precedent for fairness and judicial independence.
