Opinion
The Futility Of Violence
Violence means op
pressing the less-privileged, under the authority of a ruler. The act may be based on gender, race, skin colour, tribe, state of origin, or social class in a given society. Here dictatorship can be seen in law, custom, tradition or gender inequality. That is why several people have been jailed, beheaded, burnt or persecuted.
The Bible gives us the example of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. “The law of Moses stipulated; “this woman could be stoned to death.” When the very woman was brought to Jesus, he declared: “If any of you has never sinned let him cast first the stone.” The gospel narrated that they left the place one by one from the elderly to the youngest. At a certain point, Jesus was alone with the woman. He declared to the woman; “Go and sin no more.” This is the very way we should resolve conflict among ourselves, since violence calls for another violence, and cannot give a lasting solution.
In Africa, when the colonial masters came in, they said: “We Africans cannot lead ourselves, since we are less intelligent and divided. For these reasons most of the African countries were colonized more than a hundred years. That was a negative perception of the Europeans toward the Africans. So far at the end of this long period of colonisation, violence came up among themselves. And we had first World War, Second World War, the African soldiers performed so well during these wars. The greatest figure in French, General De Gaulle at the Conference of Brazzaville promised the gift of Independence to African countries. That is why in the nineteen sixties, most of the African countries became independent. That was the end of dictatorship over African countries to be able to lead themselves. The outcome of this violence by Europeans gave way to another kind of dictatorship by some African leaders.
Mobutu declared when heading Republic Democratic of Congo. “In my life time, I will never be called a former Head of State.” He knew how to rule by violence and intrigues to remain on the seat as Head of State. He ended up shamefully, and even died in exile. The second one, Bokassa, the President of Central African Republic, who declared himself emperor by violence and intrigues, was forced into exile in France where the wife was from. We all know how he ended up miserably. The third President in dictatorship was Idi Amin Dada of Uganda who became very violent with the Europeans in his country. Ugandans had to force him into exile. The fourth was Colonel Ghadafi of Libya who called those elected him President ‘rats.’ He was killed as a rat in an underground.
The American constitution gave access to the White House to the blacks only. In the American Society, black people were discriminated against because of skin color. It was Pastor Martin Luther (Junior) who raised his voice against it for the black people to be considered as those of other colors were. John Kennedy, a former President of United States of American, was assassinated as a common citizen. But today, it is Barrack Obama, a black, who rules that great country with Americans and Europeans under him. This is an indication that violence does not pay.
Similarly, in the past, women were not considered for public office. But Margaret Tatcher of United Kingdom showed that a woman could do it. Angela Marchel in Germany showed the same quality; Ellen Sirleaf of Liberia is performing well as President of the country. In our beloved country, Nigeria, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration a woman has shown good capacity of leadership. She is Ngozi Okonji-Iweala. This woman does well for Nigeria in financial management.
Boko Haram as a terrorist group aims at spreading fear. They advocate that Western education is evil. Not only that, they are determined to enthrone Islam and make it a state religion. They are determined to wipe away Christians that is why they say Goodluck is the last President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As we can notice, Boko Haram uses position that can throw the country backward and divid it. Boko Haram wants to exploit resentment to divide the country since we are united.
Boko Haram aims to divide the country and spread fear among Nigerians. They will not succeed. Their activities show that they are not focused. They lack direction. It is very difficult to determine what they want. They lack our ideology and so cannot command followship.
There are many cases where leaders were killed in their bid to rule with violence. For instance, Ghadafi did it and failed. Mobutu did it in Democratic Republic of Congo and failed. General Kolingba did it in Central Africa and failed. And in Rwanda with genocide they wanted to remain in power they failed. Now Boko Haram is doing same in Nigeria. It will fail and Nigeria will remain strong.
Simplice is of the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt.
Kati Simplice
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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