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Avoid Partisan Politics, Amaechi Tells Military
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to the country’s military not to be involved in partisan politics.
He enjoined them to remain neutral and not take sides in the current struggle by politicians for 2015, stressing that any such involvement would have serious consequences for the country.
Amaechi, however, thanked the military for remaining neutral, asking God to bless them for their decision not to take sides in the country’s current politics.
He also called on the Nigerian police to remain neutral in the current political situation in the country.
Governor Amaechi spoke while addressing legionnaires and representatives of service chiefs in the state for the 2014 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration which emblem appeal launching took place on Tuesday at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.
Amaechi said, “The greatest source of unity in a country is the military and you have suffered enough to fight for the unity of this country. I will say to you the Nigerian Military, don’t be involved in Nigerian politics. Nigeria is too complicated for the military to be involved in politics.
“Nigeria, as we are here, we have so many tribes. I tell people, I’m not Ijaw, I’m Ikwerre. There are people who are from Ijaw, there are Hausas, there are Yorubas, there are Isokos, there are Fulanis. We are too many that if the military gets involved in Nigerian politics, the consequences will be too much. Currently, we thank all of you for remaining neutral and God will bless you for remaining neutral.
“In the same manner, we will enjoin Nigerian police to remain neutral because the consequences of taking sides will be too much. 2015 is a watershed for the country. All of us seated here must contribute to peace in Nigeria”.
He acknowledged the military’s contributions to unity and nation building, and urged them not to allow such contributions collapse in the current political debate.
“I will say to you today that all of you, both serving and retired, in one way or the other contributed to the unity of Nigeria, and you cannot afford to allow that unity to go. I have a very faint idea of what the civil war looked like because I was born in 1965. My children do not have any idea whatsoever of what the civil war looked like, and I don’t want them to have any idea at all God will not allow us to get involved in such situation where they will have ideas”, Amaechi said.
He noted that the country is too big and too blessed to fail in leadership and not sufficiently meet the people’s needs.
He also disproved claims that he is in politics to aspire to become president in the next elections, explaining that his singular aim was to work with other Nigerians to take the country where it should be.
“For me, I will join you to preach peace. You will see us fighting politically. The reason why we are fighting politically is because Nigeria is too big and too rich to remain the way we are. If anybody tells you that we are not too big and too rich, the person is lying. We are too big and too rich not to be able to provide education for our children. We are too big and too rich not to be able to provide health for our children.
“For our mothers, individuals continue from year to year to put money in their pockets. They say, I’m fighting because I want to be president, I’ve never told anybody I want to be president. I am fighting just one cause: can we change the course of Nigeria? If the Naval officers were here, they would tell you about a ship that is directionless. We can’t continue that way. I’m not saying the president is doing well or not doing well. I’m talking about the entire political class”.
Accordingly, he called on all well-meaning Nigerians to join the race for a better Nigeria, and commented on the extent of progress Nigeria’s neighbour, Ghana had made at the country’s expense.
Amaechi lamented the absence of good leadership and of security, water, power, health and other essential needs of the Nigerian people.
Governor Amaechi, at the event, was decorated by the state Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, King (Col.) Philemon Chinda Omunakwe (rtd).
Earlier, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, King Philemon Omunakwe had thanked Governor Amaechi for identifying with the legionnaires of the state.
He noted the contributions made by the military to ensure the country’s survival and unity, and appealed to government at all levels to appreciate the sacrifice of the country’s fallen heroes and take care of their loved ones.
At the 2014 Emblem Appeal launching were state legionnaires, representatives of service chiefs, including the state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene