Nation
Beyond Partisan Opposition Of Boko Haram, Terror, National Security
When one of America’s most legendary civil rights advocates, Malcom X at the peak of his robust advocacy for good governance once said, ‘we owe our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have deferred,” he was merely highlighting the import of alternative views and solutions to human problems and challenges.
Indeed, it also underscores the dictum, none is a reservoir of knowledge and looking further inwards, a rehash of a popular Okrika proverb which says, “Bu bilema Mingi gborianga ani-boke” meaning, the tide that eventually submerges the mangrove rages from not a single source. Therefore, for any people or nation-state to conquer its environment, unshackle itself from lack of knowledge and provide the best in human enterprise and ingenuity that humanity itself can offer, it requires men and women with rare vision, patience and a ‘never-say-die’, spirit. These are those who find no limits to what humanity can achieve.
It is to such people, human civilization today owes most accomplishments by way of inventions and myth breaking. It is to those rare human minds that society owes gratitude for finding answers to most of human needs that seemed impracticable.
These are the pacesetters, inventors and opposition voices who at one time or another preferred different approaches to getting things done and who at moments of seemingly impossible search for the hitherto unknown or little-known, tarry on as positive non-conformists or simply unusuals. But in their creative unusualness emerged most of the inventions society today do enjoy, in science, technology and even politics.
Thomas Edison, the man credited with the invention of the electric bulb among others was unrelenting in his resilience in search for workable clues and answers. That was at a time; many thought that electric bulb would not add any extra value to human life. He was mocked, derided and despised but the positive deviant in him urged him on and not even 250,000 failed attempts as success could sway his resolve. Today, the value of the electric bulb is for all to behold.
As in science and technology so it is in politics, social engineering and indeed governance. In fact, Malcolm X’s theory was meant to engineer in the main, positive opposition that at all times, offers alternative view to societal notions. It is not merely for opposition sake. The main expectation instead is for such opposition to provide alternative views to existing issues urgently demanding societal appraisal and reappraisal.
With such pedigree, the term opposition no longer becomes individualised or institutionalized but a pendulum that swings around quality alternatives to human endeavours on trial. This means, in a country like Nigeria, should there exist a potent opposition built on ideology, not individuals and clicks, nationalism not the familiar desperation for political power and selflessness not the familiar do-or-die posture of being driven to action not by intellect or reason but by desires and appetites, no single political party should govern uninterrupted approval for more than 13 year. It is either that the opposition is content being opposition endlessly or it does not have viable alternatives so can’t provide what it lacks in viable ideas. It is either that the opposition is ethno-religious in character or too regional to source such highly needed national alternatives or it simply lacks the pedigree, intellectual property or the political push to drive such alternative views for the proper understanding and indeed acceptance of the ordinary voter.
Or worst still, may be, the opposition does not meet the expectations of the electorate as a viable alternative, therefore, the voter simply feels safer sticking with the known than the unknown. One of these or all, sum-up the picture of Nigeria’s leading political opposition which rather than work hard to be seen as a viable bank of better alternatives, spends ample time in vain and uninspiring criticism, without providing any meaningful options for societal good.
Nigeria’s supposed leading opposition, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is one example that conjures this horrible picture and still content that it lacks the wherewithal, integrity and reach to provide a national alternative yet seems desperate to lose its opposition leadership to an even more unwieldy, desperate, power hungry, horribly ambitious and intellectually no better political drivers, hopeful to rest power from a single political party which it wants to make the electorate believe Nigerians do not deserve.
To achieve that tall dream, the ACN and its many disunited, uncoordinated and desperate merger partners have been busy badmouthing virtually any and every government policy, programme or action without sitting back to weigh the implications of their vituperations, the effectiveness of their criticisms and more importantly the measure of attitudinal change their views have effected among Nigerians towards actualising a displacement of the status quo.
Among others, its ever squinting views on Boko Haram, national security and war on terror appear to many, a mixed bundle of confused, directionless outburst, seemingly voiced without proper thinking or simply voiced for criticism sake not bothered about the national security implication of such view-points.
After the United nations (UN) House bombing, in Abuja, among many others last year; the ACN blamed the Federal government for a lack of tactical resolve, dependable intelligence gathering ingenuity and short supply of inspiring political leadership as responsible for the thriving profile of the Boko Haram. It did not suggest any which better way it would have handled the situation, were it in power.
Early this year, when Boko Haram terrorists attacked Christian places of worship, parks and markets with high Igbo ethnic nationality casualties, raising national concerns for likely reprisals, ACN merely criticised the attacks but refused to call it a terrorist siege. It did not suggest which better way it would have fought the war except blaming the ruling government of indecisiveness in tackling insecurity in the land.
Last month, when irked by the increasing spate of terror attacks in key Northern cities, including Kano, Jos and Maiduguru, in which several were killed and public and private property destroyed, Federal Government opted to consider the terror siege as a war on the Nigerian state, the ACN again criticised any likely military force, but did not say what alternative was left.
Curiously, at the peak hours of the merger talks with the Gen Muhammadu Buhari-owned Conference for Progressive Change (CPC) with just a state, in control against others’ with 12 as soon as Northern political elements started the clamour for amnesty for Boko Haram, apparently moved by same dubious political considerations, the ACN quickly jumped at it in support, without suggesting what government must do for victims of the protracted Boko Maram terrorist siege. It was merely in support of Boko Haram amnesty without tinkering where funds would be sourced to finance such unsolicited amnesty, from Boko Haram perspective.
And only last week, when, as many as between 70 and 100 police officers on official duty in search of an ethnic militia cult leaders in Nasarawa State were ambushed and killed, forcing President Goodluck Jonathan to cancel his planned trip to Namibia after cutting-short his working visit to South Africa to be briefed on the security situation, all, the ACN was quoted as saying was to warn the Federal government against plans to impose a state of emergency in many Northern states of Nigeria. No suggestions on what government should have done to stem the orgy of violence and senseless killings, except the known grandstanding to posture itself as a better lover of Northerners than the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.
To its disappointment, President Jonathan, last Tuesday, evening declared state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno, but did not tamper with elected democratic structures as did former President Olusegun Obasanjo in similar circumstances, thus leaving ACN and others with little or nothing to feast on, in negative criticism.
But it seemed the ACN prepared its own opposition speech against the President’s expected broadcast long before the actual air-time when, it insinuated that the emergency rule was meant to dislocate democratic institutions, a suggestion that the nationwide broadcast later addressed to be untrue.
Even so, while, many well-meaning Nigerians; including governors of the affected states welcomed the Federal government’s decision as the most reasonable action to stem the reign of terror and reclaim Nigeria’s territory daily being annexed by foreign terrorists, with local connivance, the ACN stuck to its gun of unrestrained condemnation without offering alternative.
A week earlier, after spirited clashes between the terrorists and armed security men under the aegis of the Multinational Task Force on boarder surveillance in Baga, Borno State left several terrorists dead, the ACN in a statement had invited the International Criminal Court to charge the Nigeria defence institutions and of course, government with war crimes. There, again it made no viable suggestions on how to check the terrorists.
This is not the kind of opposition that can be seen as an alternative to the ruling party’s. It is instead one that makes the PDP, “the devil Nigerians know and are willing to stick to, than the self imposed angels Nigerians are still unsure to see. ACN and others in their emerging merger plans must present a better and more convincing manifesto that can make them national alternatives, not to shore-up as a band of shakeholders with shared political blocks to superintend and recoup such investments.
My Agony is that up till now, opposition politicians have not only failed to show character, drive and conviction as worthy alternative to the ruling government, they have made Nigeria the only thriving democracy where, government and opposition do not ever enjoy bi-partisanship even, on matters of national security, threatened by terrorists’ siege.
Some even say, many in their ranks could go the whole hug to sabotaging government efforts, if only to ensure their negative predictions not necessarily with a better opposite come true. That is not how politics should be played. National security should stand far above political sentiments and partisan adventurism. Period.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor
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