Opinion
How Amaechi Redefined Governance (I)
Some radicals are ‘propelled by nothing more than self-
flaunting, a blatant showmanship; others are mere impostors riding on the wave of radicalism to achieve their selfish agenda. But only in rare cases .does radicalism coincide with altruism, with a burning desire to align with the communal spirit, to .advance the common good. Such’ a rare instance is found in Chibuike R. Amaechi. But don’t, take my word for it.’ Send out your feelers and see’ what they bring back.
A case in point: a young Man recently returned from overseas studies in Canada and called at his ‘family home in Rumuomasi in Obio Akpor Local Government Area within greater Port Harcourt. It took only the beacon of the Shell Industrial Area and a strong desire not to ask the taxi driver questions for him to finally locate his ancestral home. He stood transfixed, taking in the fresh oxygen from the specie of palms lining the centre pavement portioning the road linking Aba Road/Market Junction to Nkpogu Junction in Port Harcourt City LGA into ‘to’ and ‘fro’ segments. The young man marveled. He had heard of the term ‘garden city’ in connection with the Rivers state capital but by the time he left on State government scholarship to England three years ago in a programme that ultimately enabled him to earn his doctorate degree in Canada, Port Harcourt and its environs were like’ enclaves emerging from war, and nothing in. them suggested anything close to garden. To complete his marvel, the street lights soon came on as evening approached. At some point it took the motley crowd of black and familiar faces for him to reassure himself he was not back to Ottawa. His interactions on the internet with some friends back in Nigeria had suggested that Amaechi was all about politics and opposition and that nothing was going on in Rivers State. Now he knew better, especially after he discovered that that road which actually connects Peter Odili Road to the east was not an isolated case. Across the State, roads’ with – modern drainage systems were either under . construction or already ‘aglow with walkways, well-marked packing directions, street lights and modern directional signs. Welcome to the garden city.
Unarguably, this is the first time a radical is occupying the Rivers State Government House and his rule, however it ends, has already created a phenomenon in leadership and development. Amaechi clearly knew the circumstances of his emergence as governor – that it was clearly a divinely orchestrated event backed by the people. That must explain why he set out to please only. too constituencies: God and the masses. He had every opportunity to play politics as ‘business as usual’ and ,he knew he stood to gain a lot personally. But he shunned that in favour of the’ road less travelled. In following this option, he obviously knew he would come against a great obstacle, but he probably could not have envisaged the extent of the challenge. He had one ‘masterstroke: aligning with the people, the masses of the people of Rivers State and, the residents.
This has been, and will continue to be his staying power. Across the country, people believe that a governor must ‘chop,’ their main grouse is when all that he has to show for his governance is ‘chopping’ the state down to dilapidation, a reign of kleptocracy.
This was the scene across the country and more so in Rivers State before Amaechi’s emergence as governor. The first thing he did was to sweep away the Augean Stable. Gathering a team’ of mostly young
technocrats but also socially conscious bureaucrats, he set about with a clear, unmistakable Vision and Mission. Unfortunately the old aristocrats, the wheelers and dealers who had profited unconscionably from the old order could not read the handwriting on the wall. They did not understand that Amaechi have encircled his thought with positive change of heart.”Drop the last year into the silence limbo of the past let it go .for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go” Brooks A”tkinson. ‘They thought that he was merely posturing and that he would turn the bend and behave true to type. That was their error. They did not know that the one they were up against was working ‘under the firm conviction that,’ like Karl Marx’s proletariat, he, together with the Rivers State masses, ‘have nothing to lose but their chains; they have a world to win.’
It may seem out of place to connect what Amaechi has done in Rivers state, in particular his philosophy and modus operandi with the concept of class suicide, but it ‘is not a far-fetched’ possibility., Truly, he may have had plebeian roots, but series .of social circumstances had thrust him up as a de facto patriarch right from when he was a two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the administration of Governor Peter Odili. Did he wheel’ and deal? Maybe. Maybe’ not. But that is now a moot point. The issue is: when he got the opportunity – whether on a platter of gold, silver or wood, did he deliver? You bet. For the first time in recent history, civil servants, in particular, teachers, could proudly claim that they are workers. The children of the poor and downtrodden can afford to -go-to schools and actually handle computers! What the Ubima man has done is to create a level playing field where, to draw a parallel from the evergreen Martin Luther King, one is no longer judged by the circumstances of his birth but by the content of his ‘character, the degree of greyness of his or her grey matter. The scholarships funds which until recently was managed by the incorruptible icon Elechi Amadi ‘has seen the children of the rich and poor alike scramble for scholarship opportunities with only hard work and brain power as the determinants of who gets what. There is hardly any reason not to believe that the new management will tow that noble line. To ‘furnish the means of acquiring knowledge is the greatest benefit that can ‘be conferred upon mankind it prolongs life’ itself and enlarges the sphere of existence” John Quincy Adams. The results of such experiments in normalcy in an overall abnormal national setting are not too far away. Soon there will emerge in Rivers State a class of leaders, intelligent, radical, with a pro-people orientation and with an unwavering commitment to the common good but who, unlike before, would not be too poor as to be marginalised or disregarded.
Amaechi’s initial alignment with the downtrodden may have been done out of mere radicalism, but it has proved to be the governor’s ultimate benefit as his Party of convenience, the All People’s, Congress battles with the Peoples. Democratic Party and other entrenched interests for the soul of Rivers State Increasingly, most indicators are pointing to victory to the Amaechi camp in the titanic , battles ahead. “A positive attitude can destroy every negative obstacle” Terry Mark.
Dr. Jackson is Chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights.
Omenazu Jackson
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
-
Business1 day ago
PH Women Plan Alternative Stew, Shun Tomato High Prices
-
Foods/Drinks1 day ago
What To Know About Your Menu
-
Niger Delta1 day agoEx-IYC President Lampoons Atiku’s Presidential Ambition … Declares It Negative Impact On N’Delta
-
News1 day ago
Tinubu Never Stopped 5-year Visa For U S. Citizens – Presidency ?
-
Featured1 day agoINEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129
-
Business1 day ago
Industry Leaders Defend Local Content, … Rally Behind NCDMB
-
Sports1 day ago
Nigerian Athletes Serving Doping Bans
-
Niger Delta1 day agoC’River Focused On Youth Empowerment – Commissioner