Opinion
GMB And Old Breed Politics
It has been asserted that
human wants are insatiable. This may apply to the quest to amass wealth and fame in the society irrespective of the consequences thereafter, hence the influx of shylock politicians and leaders in our democratic setting. No wonder a biblical injunction reiterated that the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrow (1Timothy 6:10 (KJV) refers).
Beside death which is a natural phenomenon, old and defacing politicians, ex-presidents and army generals would have continued to hold sway in leadership disregarding saying; “the young shall grow” and “the youths as future leaders of the nation.” At this juncture, one may ask when shall the young grow or become leaders of the nation when the old political breeds keep recycling themselves in the leadership domain. These trends of negative conception have in no small measure retarded meaningful progress and human development of our country, Nigeira, for the past 54 years after independence.
The second military leadership under General Yakubu Gowon with a notable acronym or slogan: ‘Go-On-With-One-Nigeria’ from 1964 to July 1975 was overthrown which brought about the leadership of General Murtala Mohammed who was on the hot seat for only six (6) months i.e. between July 1975 and February 13, 1976, when he was assassinated by some military officers.
The assassination of Murtala Mohammed ushered in General Olusegun Obasanjo from Febrauary 1976 to October1, 1979 when he handed over the leadership to the Second Republic government headed by Alhaji Shehu Aliu Shagari, who piloted the nation’s affairs until mid-December, 1983, when General Mohammadu Buhari with Lt. Gen. Tunde Idiagbon took over the mantle of leadership up to August 27th 1985.
General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida ruled from August 1985 to August 1993. IBB intended to perpetuate himself in power which led to the annulment of the most successful presidential elections conducted on June 12, 1993, which resulted in the establishment of Interim National Government (ING) briefly headed by Chief (Barr) Ernest Shonekan between September and November 17, 1993, when General Sani Abacha hijacked the leadership from Shonekon and ruled up to June 8, 1998 when he died.
Meanwhile a messiah emerged in the person of General Abdulsalami Abubakar who steer the ship from 1998 to 29th May, 1999, when the former Head of State, Chief (General) Matthew Olusegun Obasanjo took over the baton of leadership and became President in the Fourth Republic. OBJ ruled from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.
However, OBJ’s third tenure bid was aborted as Nigerians voted in Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007 as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FGN) who later died in June 5, 2010 which paved the way for Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who had acted in the capacity of Vice-President, Acting President and incumbent President of this great nation after the demise of his predecessor.
Before President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan came to the apex of leadership, it was a tug of war, especially when he declared his intention for the presidential race. As if it was a dream, former Head of State, General Badamosi Babangida who had bluntly and arrogantly refused to apologise to Nigerians for the annulment of 1993 June 12 Presidential election, all the time suddenly thought it wise to make a belated apology after 17 years of disdainful negligence because he had nursed the ambition to contest for the 2011 presidential election for the simple fact that a candidate from the Niger Delta region had emerged for the No. 1 seat of the nation.
IBB was criticised for his ambition so he could not make a headway in the political arena any longer. In the same vien, former Vice-President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku during OBJ’s regime also contested with the incumbent President and failed flat even in his home-Adamawa State- where Goodluck Ebele Jonahtna gathered all the chickens under his wings.
Similarly, in the forthcoming 2015 general elections, another former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari is also aiming at becoming President of this fast growing nation under the All Progressives Congress (alias APC) not being mindful of his age.
From the foregoing analysis one may wish to congratulate and salute the integrity of General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Aliu Shagari, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Abdulsalami Abubakar who recognised and acknowledged their noble role and credible contributions for the upliftment and development of this nation- Nigeria. It is true that these crops of ex-leaders remain relevant to this nation until their death.
It is therefore surprising that General Mohammadu Buhari who ought to play advisory role given his wealth of experience in leadership has decided to take the place reserved for our younger politicians. I liken Buhari’s decision to contest to the Bible passage that says: “The days of our years are three-score years and ten (70) years, and if by reason of strength they be four-score (80) years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (KJV). This passage is apt for GMB.
In fact, GMB and his co-horts are exploring every effort to distort the dream of transformation agenda of the President muted by Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. I see GMB as a fuel of himself. He should begin to count his teeth with his tongue. Remember when the heat was on IBB in 1993, he stepped aside to allow the younger generation to grow.
The political aspirations of our old breed politicians should give way to the energetic and young promising new breeds in order to move this country to greater height. General Mohammadu Buhari (GMB) and his co-horts should constitute themselves as elder’s statesmen and advise the new breed politicians. Politics of antagonism, bitterness and geocentricism should be discarded and put in the abyss of political asylum.
Ominyanwa is a public affairs analyst.
Goddy Ominyanwa
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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