The political space in Rivers State, especially, Bonny Local Government Area went into a sombre mood as the funeral obsequies for the now demised political maestro, Rodaford Opuwari Longjohn begins.

Longjohn was until his death the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bonny LGA, upon which platform he was elected in 1999 as Chairman of Bonny LGA and re-elected in 2003 for a second term.  

According to the programme of activities signed by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the funeral, Omoni Longjohn, and made available to Kristina Reports, the string of events begins with Tribute on his Life and Times at Ibani-Se Hall on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

This would be followed by a Service of Songs at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, August 30; Cultural Displays at the Local Government Industrial Unit Field, Bonny on Thursday, August 31; and Candle Light Procession from the Bonny PDP Secretariat to his residence at Ukpo Avenue, Bonny.

On Friday, September 1, the remains of the deceased will leave the Ashes to Ashes Mortuary enroute Bonny where it will be received by the Chairman of Bonny LGA, PDP stakeholders, and elders of the Longjohn Chieftaincy House with a brief stopover at the PDP Secretariat in Bonny.

A Valedictory Session would be held in his honour at the Bonny Local Government Secretariat, after which his remains will stop over briefly at his residence at Ukpo Avenue enroute his country home at Abalamabie where it will lie in state.

A novelty football match by the by White House Football Club would also be held in his honour at Wing B of the Government Lodge.

A Funeral Service in his honour will hold at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny on Saturday, September 2, which will be preceded by a valedictory session at Longjohn Major Chieftaincy House Opuwari at Abalamabie, and his remains interred thereafter at Abalamabie.

The notice informs that a Thanksgiving Service is scheduled to hold by 10am on Sunday, September 3 at St. Clement’s Anglican Church, Bonny, with guests retiring to the Industrial Unit Field, Bonny for refreshments.

The elder statesman passed on to the great beyond on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at the age of 69, having produced the largest community of political offspring comprising elected and appointed officials, and superintending over the Bonny political space for an eventful decade.

Foremost among his sterling achievements for which he will long be remembered for is the fact that under his watch no other political party won any elective office against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).