The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced recently that the three-member nations where coup plotters overthrew elected governments had finally. The three exiting West African countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic. I have nothing but condemnation for unelected soldiers overthrowing elected representatives. Interstingly, ECOWAS leaders had a summit, where they said the organisation should be less about the regional leaders and more about the people. They emphasised “ECOWAS of people”.
The leaders wanted people to be more interconnected, not just the leaders who routinely held summits. So, they introduced measures to ensure that people had this sense of community with people across member nations. How the latest decisions taken by ECOWAS leaders regarding the three exiting nations contribute to this is my focus here. In the statement the leaders put out, I noticed they chose to leave the coup plotters to do their thing while ensuring that channels were left open for contact between their citizens and the rest of the people in the region.
I believe the thinking of the ECOWAS leaders aligns with the views I have been expressing online in the past few months regarding this matter. They are as follows: Earlier on when Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic announced that they formed an alliance, I stated that they could have their alliance and still be in ECOWAS. Actually, ECOWAS, like other international bodies, is an amalgamation of nations involved in different alliances. The European Union and African Union were formed by nations that had diverse alliances among themselves. In West Africa, there were the French-speaking and English-speaking nations in alliances with France and Britain at the time ECOWAS was formed. There are other alliances based on the currency that French-speaking ECOWAS members use i.e. the CFA. Some economic and military sub-alliances remain ECOWAS functions. Even currently some West African nations jointly combat insurgency and other challenges. ECOWAS recognises them and encourages their initiatives as such help promote ECOWAS’ regional integration objective.
Furthermore, ECOWAS should take its time regarding the three exiting nations since we know that one administration goes and another comes, but a nation and its people remain. Policies in nations can change over time depending on who is in power. Therefore, ECOWAS leaders should take a long-term view of relations with the exiting nations, noting that international relations are not conducted just for the short- and medium-term, but mostly the long term. There is a long-term for the three nations in question. Whoever thinks they can rule forever with the gun, having the illusion that they are the only messiah their people have, will ultimately face reality.
In addition, ECOWAS leaders should undertake measures which ensure that democratic forces in the three nations are assisted and strengthened to demand a return to civil rule. This to me is the viable route to follow for now. Nonetheless, my expressed views did not gloss over the grudges civilians in the three nations might have against their elected leaders. Arguments about discontent among citizens are ones that some use to justify soldiers in politics. To me it is unacceptable. I stated after the latest coup in the Niger Republic that if people did not like the manner an elected leader frolicked with foreign nations perceived to be fleecing them, the better solution was to mobilise and elect leaders who represented their view on such matters.
To me, soldiers in politics are never the solution to a country’s problems. Soldiers would regiment abracadabra, introducing populist policies that are not assimilated by citizens, and when they go the same citizens return to power. We have seen this across the continent, and I am surprised some still praise soldiers in politics for any reason whatsoever. The reality is that after the initial welcome party, citizens who are muzzled by draconian laws that soldiers make would begin to gather around a cause to return to civilian rule. If this is resisted, the confusion that follows creates conditions for whatever dictators are built to be destroyed. It happened in Libya and other African nations. In Guinea, another West African nation where coup plotters are in power, civilians have begun to stage protests over the agreed transition programme that coup plotters repeatedly ignore.
Back to the thinking of ECOWAS leaders when they announced the final withdrawal of the three nations. They say ECOWAS member nations would continue to recognise all passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. The countries would also remain in the bloc’s free-trade scheme. Interestingly, the chairman of the alliance formed by the coup plotters and Mali’s dictator said months ago that the right of ECOWAS citizens to enter, circulate, reside, establish and leave the territories of their new alliance would be maintained. So, coup plotters too want to maintain relationships with people from ECOWAS member nations. Lately, the dictator in Burkina Faso attended the swearing-in ceremony of Ghana’s new president. The three landlocked nations know they cannot close their borders; if they do they will suffer the consequences more. And who casually crosses borders for all manner of reasons? People. The three heads of coup plotters can shut themselves up in their respective nations’ capitals, but their peoples continue to meet others as one community as ECOWAS leadership envisions it.
I think the people-to-people aspect in regional relations has informed most measures adopted by ECOWAS leadership regarding the exiting nations. They should continue on this path. They isolate the coup plotters that way. Coup plotters can gather under their alliance, but a sense of community shared by their people with other people in the region will outlive their different administrations. This consciousness of one community actually informed how ECOWAS leaders did not invade the Niger Republic to restore the ousted elected leader as initially planned. For instance, it took the intervention of the traditional and religious institutions in northern Nigeria, who spoke persuasively about their bonds with peoples across the Nigerian-Nigerien borders for President Bola Tinubu to suspend the plan.
The same sense of a shared community made state governors, traditional leaders, and policymakers from Nigeria, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon gather lately for the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum.
Ajibade wrote in from Lagos.

There they discussed mutual challenges in their localities and how to alleviate them. Meanwhile, worries expressed by some about the withdrawal of the three nations are legitimate. However, I have been stating that those who withdraw have more to lose than ECOWAS members. If security worsens across West Africa, ECOWAS member nations have better support systems. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic now depend on Russia for support. That is a nation that, though it can help create a nuisance situation, is itself having internal and external challenges.
As things stand, the three exiting nations and their Russian allies suffer heavy losses at the hands of insurgents. Niger Republic’s plan to export crude oil has met with setbacks in Benin Republic. Ultimately, we should not forget that certain human experiences made Libyans under Ghaddafi, for instance, become disenchanted. It made them desire to connect better with the rest of the world and be led by elected representatives. Peoples of the three nations exiting ECOWAS cannot be different if political history is anything to go by.

Tunji Ajibade

In a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Lere Olayinka, the self-styled Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, stormed News Central TV with a cocktail of lies, half-truths and unfortunate distortions. This desperate smear campaign demands a bold response to expose the true mastermind behind the political turbulence rocking Rivers State. Olayinka harped on the current situation of the Rivers State House of Assembly, highlighting the presence of only three (3) active members. Yet, he conveniently glossed over the real story of Martin Amaewhule and his co-defectors who cowardly abandoned their constituencies and their mandates by defecting to the APC without due consultation. These former legislators, by law, automatically vacated their seats, but Olayinka lacks the courage to admit this truth.
When asked about Wike’s involvement in Rivers State’s political turmoil, Olayinka could not deny the undeniable. Wike is not only a major player in this crisis but also its architect. His meddlesome tendencies and attempts to control the state from Abuja have been met with stiff resistance from Rivers people who are fed-up with his overreach. Olayinka’s claim that Wike elevated Governor Fubara from “a mere cashier” to governor reeks of pettiness. It is an insult to Fubara’s track record of service and to the Rivers people who overwhelmingly voted for him. The truth is, Governor Fubara was instrumental to any success Wike claims during his time as governor, especially in financial prudence and project execution, Olayinka can challenge me to a debate if in doubt. Mr. Olayinka falsely accused Governor Fubara of disobeying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The irony, however, is glaring. The real defiance came from those who President Tinubu called his “newborn babies,” only to disown him days later. Aside the impeachment attempt, Wike’s ill-advised push for these individuals to defect to the APC is at the root of the political mess they currently face. Olayinka’s admission that Fubara is the governor and wields the “red biro” underscores one truth: Governor Siminalayi Fubara is in Charge. While his employer may attempt to pull the strings of discord, Rivers people have declared unequivocally that the era of external interference is over. Sir Fubara is taking bold steps to restore dignity and prioritise the state’s interests. Also, Olayinka’s attempt to draw parallels between Rivers State and Kogi State only highlights his lack of understanding of Rivers politics. Rivers people are not Kogi people.
They will not accept a situation where commissioners or key appointments are dictated from only one man, as Wike attempted to do. Rivers people have spoken, and their stance is non-negotiable. Olayinka’s laughable claim that Governor Fubara is dining with those who opposed his emergence shows a lack of political depth. Almost everyone standing with Wike today—including Magnus Abe and Chidi Lloyd—at one time opposed his own governorship bid. Politics evolves and alliances shift. Governor Fubara is focused on governance, not on petty vendettas. Assuming, without conceding, that Governor Fubara did not address Rivers people during the campaign, the blame lies squarely on Wike, who perhaps never allowed him to speak. He almost succeeded in extending this overbearing tendencies into the governance of the state, but Rivers people are saying “No” to this meddlesome interference.
The glaring contradictions in Olayinka’s rhetoric can tell you why Fayose failed woefully in Ekiti State despite all his noise. Just like his principal, Olayinka has mastered the art of bluster without substance. When pressed on what Wike wants from Governor Fubara that he is not getting, Olayinka could not provide an answer. The truth is simple: Wike desires absolute control, but Governor Fubara and Rivers people have drawn the line. Olayinka’s interview on News Central TV was nothing but a desperate attempt to deflect attention from Wike’s political blunders and meddlesome tendencies. The records are clear: Governor Fubara is focused on the interests of Rivers people, while Wike and his cronies remain trapped in a web of personal ambition. The good news is that Rivers people know the truth. Governor Fubara is acting decisively and Rivers State is moving forward under his leadership. No amount of propaganda or falsehoods can change this fact.

John Martins
Martins wrote in from Port Harcourt.

Men and women of goodwill are celebrating remarkable milestones in the life of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. He turned 50 on January 28, 2025. His unwavering dedication, focus on excellence, effective advocacy beyond a single-focus “magic bullet” to governance with integrated approach that recognises multiple interrelated drivers of governance change, truly inspire the people. Rivers State is the second largest economy in Nigeria. It is hub of oil and the gas industry, and remains a major contributor to the country’s wealth. It is over such strong, powerful and strategical state, Governor Fubara superintends. At 50 years, he is gold sparkles and in a season of exhilarating jubilee. In 2024, his administration hosted investment summits. Manifest results now show inflow of multiplicity of foreign investments. Strategic partnership festers and the growth of Rivers economy is sustained. Investors enjoy tax moratoriums and land title issuance.
Jollification drumbeats are intense. Fulsome sound. Overreached with symphonic echoes. Scintillated strumming. The strings. Stroke of dexterity and bellowing melody, all so enthralling. Whether in Rivers or elsewhere in Nigeria, you will wriggle waists, do joyful handclaps or leap with hope-filled heart. Feet will do the hopping. There is comforting peace. The glean. A bland. Emphatically, Rivers people bare their hearts of gratitude to God. He enthroned Governor Fubara at at an auspicious time. The people are better off today than ever. The brutish political crisis erupted like a thief at night but was hushed by a watchful watchman. Because it is contained, the people are happier. More 3,066 persons got empowered with N3.6 billion loan facility on a single-digit interest rate of 7.5per cent per annum. It was made possible by a partnership between Rivers government and Bank of Industry (BOI). It offers support to small businesses, drives economic growth, promotes job creation and wealth generation efforts. Ultimately, it is to improve the standard of living of the citizens.
Happier citizenry. Civil and public servants got statutory promotion with consequential salary paid after being stagnated on a grade level for over a decade. In December 2023 and 2024, Christmas bonuses of N100,000 apiece, was paid to each worker, a gesture also extended to retirees. Governor Fubara is a leader with a pure human and godly heart. He had not confronted political violence with violence. No shade of political witch-hunting. No arrest on trumped-up charges. No politically motivated assassinations witnessed. The most insulted by political opponents. His reliance on God is legendary in a wild field of conscienceless political maneuverings, spewing of contradictory lies, threaded thickets of threats, mounted conspiracies to truncate governance and levels of insistence to cause stampede that intend to force a surrendering of the will of the people. All, came to nought. They have become like the mountains before Zerubbabel melting into wax.
What is seen is not indentured servitude. Governor Fubara stands in the gates firmly, defusing violet plots against the mandate of Rivers people. Steadied governance, ensured protection of life and property in a peaceful State. There is messianic balm, sufficiently applied to offer a soothing to frightened hearts, and calmed troubled nerves. Of course, nobody with a decent grasp of the complexity and deep-rooted nature of the crisis will believe that it will be resolved so easily. But you will need to know this also. Governor Fubara was born on a Tuesday in Opobo Town and bears unique traits of people born on Tuesday. Of note is his persistence on chosen course, strives with conviction and wholeheartedly drives on until desirable success is achieved. He is solidly courageous, shares no tent with fear because he must take the risks required to reaching his goals, which is why he faces the challenges head-on.
He is calm though, but makes no mistake about his dogged fighting spirit, calculative and straightforward spirit that wins squarely, and fairly. Four critical priority areas are at focus; healthcare, education, agriculture and road infrastructure development. He must win too, in truly empowering the people to attain quality living. In improving public sector education, the investment is holistic, almost equal attention given to basic education, post-primary education and tertiary education. Personnel, not less than 1000 apiece, are employed into universal basic education and post-primary levels. Staff recruitment done at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. A new Rivers State College of Education is in the offing plus 3000 more teachers to be recruited to improve the teacher: learners’ ratio.
Modern learning infrastructure and essential instructional materials are distributed to nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools in the 23 local government areas, which included Teachers’ notebooks, smart-board pens, dusters and marker pens, writing pens, textbooks covering all subjects, Phonetics textbooks, varieties of storybooks, records and diaries for junior secondary schools, school attendance registers. The health sector has received historic investments. 25 general hospitals have capacity strengthened to provide regular, quality healthcare. More health facilities like four zonal hospitals in Bori, Ahoada, Degema, and Omoku towns in four local government areas being remodelled, expanded and upgraded. A modern psychiatric hospital is nearing completion and will be equipped to provide dedicated neuro-psychiatric services. Already, 1,000 personnel are employed by the Rivers State Health Management Board while another 1,000 are engaged by the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). This will bridge manpower gap.
There is a comprehensive agriculture transformation support programme pursued with the N31 billion allocated in 2025 budget to achieve food security, enhance job creation and facilitate economic growth. Some legacy road projects included the 15.6 km Port Harcourt Ring road and 12.5km Trans-Kalabari Highway Road. These critical infrastructure consolidate development efforts. Truly, at 50, Governor Fubara will have moments for deep reflection and be genuinely propelled to express gratitude to God for divine benevolence. He stands between dreams and aspirations, some achieved, others yet pursued. What is more, in these 50 years, he has given it his all, and still eager to grasp opportunities to live to fullest while delivering more quality service to the state, country and humanity.

Tamunobarabi Ibulubo
Ibulubo is of the Rivers State Television (RSTV), Port Harcourt.