Editorial
Amaechi’s Supreme Court Victory And Democracy
mandate of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, as duly elected candidate of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 2007 Governorship elections.
The crux of the litigation stemmed from a protest by the PDP candidate challenging his substitution by the party’s leadership without cogent and verifiable reasons and to which he was neither allowed fair hearing nor confronted with facts for defense. The questions for determination, from a layman’s perspective, thus became whether or not a party leadership had the power to unilaterally deny a duly elected candidate, his constitutional right to be voted for. Secondly, whether such disqualification was in tandem with party laws, and if not, whether his eventual replacement by Sir Celestine Omehia, who did not contest the party primaries, was proper or not.
Important as these questions were, they, inadvertently challenged the constitutional supremacy of political parties which hitherto enjoyed unbridled and far-reaching powers over their own internal affairs. With that understanding, and based on the familiar conclusion that party primaries were indeed internal affairs of political parties, hence, not justiceable in conventional courts or risk expulsion, not many legal pundits gave Rt. Hon. Amaechi a chance.
It was even more so, when, following the acceptance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of Amaechi’s eventual replacement, Sir Celestine Omehia contested and won the elections and was later sworn-in as governor.
But in a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court literarily averred that by the nation’s choice of a multi-party democracy, the political parties themselves ought to represent the foundation for the building of an enduring democratic culture, based on laws, respect for members’ constitutional rights and above all, defense of equity, fairness and honesty. For, if these values were allowed to suffer, political parties would, rather than be the basis for democratic growth, become machines of lawlessness, autocratic rule and imposition of candidates in elections.
It was in avoidance of that looming state of anarchy that the apex court ruled that the most important constitutional basis for selection of candidates for general elections must first and foremost be the party primaries. And if after wards, any substitution was needfull, such must be based on cogent and verifiable reasons. Unfortunately, since by the estimation of the apex court, the PDP’s excuse for substituting Amaechi failed that preliminary test, it ought to be declared ultra vices, null and void.
Today, The Tide recalls with a rare sense of pride and judicial fulfillment, the rare courage demonstrated by the nation’s Supreme Court, in handing down such landmark judgment, and indeed, against a government in power, whose leader, as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo personally voiced the disqualification of a duly elected party candidate, at a rally in Port Harcourt, with the ‘K-Leg’ theory.
Ordinarily, the Supreme Court could hide behind countless legal loopholes to dismiss the matter in favour of the government and indeed the ruling party, but it must have considered the immense benefits of truly democratic parties as basis for growth of enduring democratic culture, as an imperative for a participatory government grounded in popular will.
By that choice, the Supreme Court did well to restore the fast eroding intra-party democracy and delivered the political party structure from the strangle-hold and dictates of a few self seeking political leaders, against the largest interest of the helpless majority.
Yes, the judgment might have restored Amaechi’s mandate and brought him on the seat of Governor of Rivers State, but what Nigeria annually celebrates is indeed higher than the person and struggle of the serving State Chief Executive. It is indeed a celebration of the victory of truth over falsehood, of light over darkness, of democracy over dictatorship, of the rule of law over constitutional recklessness, of the equity over the culture of impunity and above all else, of the awesome presence of the Hand of God, in the affairs of men.
Surely, wherever these realities are allowed pre-eminence in the affairs of men, speedy growth is equally enhanced, and nation-building made easy. Little wonder, the modest achievements recorded in Rivers State under Governor Amaechi’s watch, after the restoration, indeed attest to these facts which The Tide thinks must be sustained in our political lives, especially by political parties.
As we recall that epochal date exactly five years yesterday, it becomes even more instructive to admonish that political parties be constantly reminded of the essence and immense benefits of intra-party democracy, and also challenge other courts within the judicial realm of an even greater need to draw some inspiration from the kind of lofty redemption, the Supreme Court bequeathed to posterity.
The Tide considers it fit and proper to also congratulate Governor Amaechi, even for the umpteenth time, for his doggedness, resilience, faith in God and the Judiciary, unwavering commitment to and unusual patience in his fight for what he believed in, without which October 25, would have been meaningless.
Essentially, Amaechi had other choices; to obey and endure his party’s order, no matter how unconstitutional he perceived it, and negotiate other juicy appointments or monetary gestures in recompense, or surrender to fear but it was the choice of being steadfast in search of justice that produced the landmark judgment, we today celebrate.
That in truth, is the often over-looked element in the Supreme Court’s historic judgment and the rewards derivable therefrom.
Editorial
Benue Killings: Beyond Tinubu’s Visit

The recent massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, ranks among Nigeria’s deadliest attacks of
2025. While official figures put the death toll at 59, media reports and Amnesty International estimate between 100 and 200 fatalities. This atrocity extends a decade-long pattern of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where Beacon Security data records 1,043 deaths in Benue alone between May 2023 and May 2025.
President Tinubu’s visit on 18 June—four days after the 14 June attack—has drawn sharp criticism for its lateness. This delay echoes a history of inadequate responses, with Human Rights Watch documenting similar inaction in Plateau and Kaduna states since 2013, fuelling a culture of impunity. The attack lasted over two hours without meaningful security intervention, despite claims of swift action.
The violence bore hallmarks of genocide, with survivors recounting systematic house burnings and executions. More than 2.2 million people have been displaced in the region since 2019 due to comparable attacks. Data show Benue’s agricultural output falls by 0.21 per cent in crops and 0.31 per cent in livestock for every 1 per cent rise in violence.
Security forces continue to underperform. No arrests were made following the Easter attacks in April (56 killed) or May’s Gwer West massacre (42 killed). During his visit, Tinubu questioned publicly why no suspects had been detained four days after Yelewata, highlighting entrenched accountability failures.
The roots of the conflict are complex, with climate change pushing northern herders south and 77 per cent of Benue’s population reliant on agriculture. A Tiv community leader described the violence as “calculated land-grabbing” rather than mere clashes, with over 500 deaths recorded since 2019.
Government interventions have largely fallen short. The 2018 federal task force and 2025 Forest Guards initiative failed to curb violence. Tinubu’s newly announced committee of ex-governors and traditional rulers has been met with scepticism given the litany of past unkept promises.
The economic fallout is severe. Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” is crumbling as farms are destroyed and farmers displaced. This worsens the nation’s food crisis, with hunger surges in 2023-2024 directly linked to farming disruptions caused by insecurity.
Citizens demanding justice have been met with force; protesters faced police tear gas, and the State Assembly conceded total failure in safeguarding lives, admitting that the governor, deputy, and 32 lawmakers had all neglected their constitutional responsibilities.
The massacre has drawn international condemnation. Pope Leo XIV decried the “terrible massacre,” while the UN called for an investigation. The hashtag “200 Nigerians” trended worldwide on X, with many contrasting Nigeria’s slow response to India’s swift action following a plane crash with similar fatalities.
Nigeria’s centralised security system is clearly overwhelmed. A single police force is tasked with covering 36 states and 774 local government areas for a population exceeding 200 million. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, 29,828 killings and 15,404 kidnappings were recorded nationally. Proposals for state police, floated since January 2025, remain stalled.
Other populous nations offer alternative models. Canada’s provincial police, India’s state forces, and Indonesia’s municipal units demonstrate the effectiveness of decentralised policing. Nigeria’s centralised structure creates intelligence and response gaps, worsened by the distance—both physical and bureaucratic—from Abuja to affected communities.
The immediate aftermath is dire: 21 IDP camps in Benue are overwhelmed, and a humanitarian crisis is deepening. The State Assembly declared three days of mourning (18-20 June), but survivors lack sufficient medical aid. Tragically, many of those killed were already displaced by earlier violence.
A lasting solution requires a multi-pronged approach, including targeted security deployment, regulated grazing land, and full enforcement of Benue’s 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law. The National Economic Council’s failure to prioritise state police in May 2025 represents a missed chance for reform.
Without decisive intervention, trends suggest conditions will worsen. More than 20,000 Nigerians have been killed and 13,000 kidnapped nationwide in 2025 alone. As Governor Hyacinth Alia stressed during Tinubu’s visit, state police may be the only viable path forward. All 36 states have submitted proposals supporting decentralisation—a crucial step towards breaking Nigeria’s vicious cycle of violence.
Editorial
Responding To Herders’ Threat In Rivers

Editorial
Democracy Day: So Far…

Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 marked a watershed moment in the nation’s political history. After enduring nearly 16 years of successive military dictatorships, Nigerians embraced a new era of civil governance with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. Since then, the country has sustained a democratic system for 26 years. But, this democratic journey has been a complex mix of progress and persistent challenges.
The formal recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged a long-standing injustice. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, Nigeria’s freest, betrayed the democratic aspirations of millions. That it took decades to honour this date reflects the nation’s complex relationship with its democratic memory.
One of the most momentous successes of Nigeria’s democracy has been the uninterrupted civilian rule over the last two and a half decades. The country has witnessed seven general elections, with power transferring peacefully among different political parties. This is particularly notable considering that prior to 1999, no civilian government had completed a full term without military intervention. The peaceful transitions in 2007, 2015, and 2023 are testaments to Nigeria’s evolving democratic maturity.
Electoral participation, while uneven, has also reflected a level of democratic engagement. In 2003, voter turnout stood at about 69 per cent, but this figure dropped to approximately 34.75 per cent in 2023, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the declining turnout raises concerns, it also highlights the increasing expectations of the electorate, who demand credible and transparent elections.
Another area of progress is the growth of a vibrant and free press. Nigerian media has played a crucial role in holding governments accountable and fostering public discourse. Investigative journalism and civil society activism have exposed corruption and human rights abuses. The rise of social media has further expanded the democratic space, enabling young Nigerians to mobilise and advocate for change, as evidenced by the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Judicial independence has seen mixed results. On one hand, the judiciary has occasionally demonstrated resilience, such as in landmark rulings that overturned fraudulent elections or curtailed executive excesses. On the other hand, allegations of political interference and corruption within the judiciary persist, undermining public confidence in the legal system’s impartiality.
Nigeria’s democracy has also facilitated the decentralisation of power through the federal system. State governments now wield some autonomy, allowing for experimentation in governance and service delivery. While this has led to innovative policies in some states, it has also entrenched patronage networks and uneven development across the federation.
Despite these successes, Nigeria’s democratic journey faces formidable problems. Electoral integrity remains a critical concern. Reports from election observers, including those from the European Union and ECOWAS, frequently highlight issues such as vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and violence. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results in 2023 elections showed promise, but technical glitches and alleged manipulations dampened public trust.
Corruption continues to be a pervasive issue. Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25/100. Democratic institutions meant to check graft—such as anti-corruption agencies and the legislature—often struggle due to political interference and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Security challenges have also strained Nigeria’s democracy. Insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist agitations in the South East, and herder-farmer conflicts across the Middle Belt have collectively resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, Nigeria ranks as the eighth most impacted country by terrorism. The government’s difficulty in ensuring safety erodes public confidence in the state’s capacity and legitimacy.
The economy poses another critical remonstrance. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $2,400 as of 2024, with over 40 per cent of the population living below the national poverty line. High unemployment and inflation have fueled discontent and disillusionment with democratic governance, especially among youth. Without addressing economic grievances, the democratic dividend will remain elusive for many Nigerians.
Ethnic and religious divisions further complicate Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. Politicians often exploit identity politics for electoral gains, exacerbating social tensions. Although federal character principles aim to promote inclusiveness, they have also sometimes fostered a quota mentality rather than merit-based appointments.
Gender representation remains inadequate in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Women occupy less than 10 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates globally. Efforts to pass gender parity bills have faced stiff resistance, highlighting deep-seated cultural and institutional barriers to female political participation.
Civil liberties, while constitutionally guaranteed, are under threat. Crackdowns on protesters, restrictions on press freedom, and surveillance of activists reveal an authoritarian streak within the democratic framework. The controversial Twitter ban in 2021 exemplified the country’s willingness to curb digital freedoms, prompting domestic and international criticism.
The political crisis in Rivers State embodies broader democratic struggles. Attempts to control the state through undemocratic means expose weaknesses in federal institutions and the rule of law. Immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State is vital to preserving Nigeria’s democratic integrity and institutional credibility.
Local governments remain under the control of state governors, depriving citizens of grassroots democracy. Last year’s Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy is promising, but state-level resistance threatens its implementation. Genuine autonomy would bring governance closer to the people and foster democratic innovation.
As we mark Democracy Day, we must honour the sacrifices of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Femi Falana, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Pa Alfred Rewane, President Bola Tinubu, and countless others, who fought for Nigeria’s freedom. As democracy in Nigeria continues to evolve after 26 years, this day should inspire action toward its renewal. With despotism and state failure as real threats, both citizens and leaders must take responsibility—citizens by demanding more, and leaders by delivering. Excuses are no longer acceptable.
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