Opinion
The Fire In Jonathan
It goes without saying that in the past twelve years, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has traversed Nigeria’s political firmament like a colossus. From political pupilage, Dr. Jonathan shot into limelight in 1999 when he became the first Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. And upon the impeachment of his former boss, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha, he became the second Executive Governor of Bayelsa State.
In 2007, he moved on to be the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the amazement of many, especially the high profile politicians who were jostling for the coveted and second most-powerful office in the land.
As Vice President, and even while his boss, late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was ill and flown to King Faisal Specialist Hospital at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, where it was rumoured that he had become bedridden, Dr. Jonathan remained calm and seemingly unambitious.
Then came the confusion over Alhaji Yar’Adua’s return or non-return from Saudi Arabia. Following several agitations by civil societies, eminent Nigerians, and the general public, the National Assembly on February 9, 2010 proclaimed the Vice President, Dr. Jonathan, as the country’s Acting President. And by virtue of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it became incumbent on him to assume full status of the country’s president upon the death of his former boss, Alhaji Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010.
Yar’Adua’s death and the zoning razzmatazz which produced the Turakin Adamawa, former Vice President Atiku Abubaka, as the consensus candidate of the North apparently polarised the country’s political space and generated serious internal crisis for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But even with the intrigues and crisis that greeted the PDP presidential primary, Dr Jonathan still clinched his party’s ticket, beating the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mrs Sarah Jubril, and Adamu Dutsinma.
In the end, Dr. Jonathan resoundingly won the presidential election for which Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team received so much cheers and commendations from labour unions, associations, well-meaning Nigerians, election monitoring groups and observers, and many country’s across the world.
Strictly speaking, Dr. Jonathan has had the fastest political career in Nigeria. Certainly, it is not smartness or calculations that have brought him this far. So is it God or sheer luck as some Nigerians believe, that has propelled Dr Jonathan to this marvelous height? Is it destiny? Or is he being moved by a magic formula he has employed which is not known or open to the rest of us?
Dr Jonathan may not be as gifted in rhetoric as Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama of this world, but he is a man of passion, dedication, and courteous disposition. Before he jumped into the murkey waters of politics, he had already cleared his path to the top of his academic career, having obtained B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D in the Biological Sciences. As Deputy Governor and later governor of Bayelsa State, he was seen by many as a gentleman of humble, honest, amiable, and impeccable character. And as the country’s Vice President, a cross section of the country saw him as a man devoid of excessive desire for power, wealth and fame. In fact, with his political progression, I believe very strongly that his political party as a body, perceives him as a diligent, loyal, and credible member who has kept the flag of democracy flying very high across the country.
But Dr Jonathan’s virtues are turning to two edged sword. They have made him great. But are they going to destroy him? Recently, his critics have been lampooning him left, right and centre.
Some of the critics perceive him as slow, feeble, and weak to tackle the security and other challenges threatening the survival of the nation. To others, Jonathan lacks the toughness, fluidity, and wit to withstand the intrigues of national and international politics.
Apparently agitated against the attack on his style of governance, President Jonathan used the occasion of the country’s 51st Independence Anniversary Church Service held on Sunday September 25, 2011 at the National Christian Worship Centre, Abuja to reply his critics. In his words: “Some others will want the President to operate like an army general, like my Chief of Army Staff commanding his troops. Incidentally, I am not a lion, I am not also a general. Somebody will want the President to operate like the Kings of Syria, Babylon, Egypt, the Pharaoh, all-powerful people that you read about in the Bible. They want the president to operate that way, the characters of the Goliath. Unfortunately, I am not one of those.”
In the ideal world, President Jonathan is expected to be an orator, a source of inspirations and motivation to the people, a self-confident leader who is committed to excellence, and who walks his talk. He is expected to have efficient and effective organisational capacity, innate intelligence, emotional balance, political skill, clarity of vision, and a lot more.
But in the real world, no person is perfect. And President Jonathan cannot be an exception. Even with his rhetorical gift, Reagan was known for his imperfect understanding of some of his own policy initiatives. Yet, he had major policy achievements as the President of the United States of America (USA).
In the final analysis, President Jonathan, in spite of his human imperfection, possesses formidable ability and fire to propel Nigeria to the promised land. To me, President Jonathan belongs to the class of Sir Robert Walpole. Sir Wapole was a compromiser. And when he became the Prime Minister of Britain in 1721, he employed his compromising disposition to conciliate all the major gronps who were fighting each other.
Dr. Jonathan is an intellectual. And intellectuals are known to be vehicles of change in any society. So, Nigerians are watching him with so much expectations. They are expecting the fire in him to be evident and strong for the quick realisation of his transformation dream.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
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
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
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.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
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.
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