Opinion
Between Abike Dabiri And Geoffrey Onyema

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, recently courted the ire of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema.
Her offence? She always moves ahead of him in foreign affairs matters. While the Foreign Affairs Minister was busy attending and addressing local and international conferences, frolicking and taking pictures here and there, Abike was issuing travel advisory to Nigerians who would travel to the United States of America, USA.
She had expressed deep concern at the plight of her fellow Nigerians who were turned back at the US border even with valid travel documents. Seeing how unpredictable the Donald Trump administration is, Abike advised that until the US government came up with a permanent immigration policy, Nigerians who would like to travel to the States should think twice.
Rather than get commendations for a laudable act, the Special Adviser was vilified and called names such as ‘busybody’, while the Foreign Ministry was visibly angry. Till this? point, it is unclear who Onyema and his cohorts were out to please by their reactions.
A statement was quickly released by the office of the Minister castigating her severely and creating the impression that the US government was unhappy and disapproved of her travel advisory. But who really cares about this. Who does Onyema seek to please? Trump? Can Trump be pleased, anyway?
It is indeed shameful that a Foreign Affairs Minister is more concerned about doing the bidding of the US and keeping them happy than being honest with his own citizens, who suffered undue deprivation by a confused US authorities that failed to respect travel documents validly issued by their embassies.
Of recent, Nigerian travellers have been experiencing hell and tough times in many countries. Do we need an Abike Dabiri to tell this story to the hostile world out there? It is common knowledge that the Nigerian green passport has become an offense to many nations. Even in this, do we need an Abike to launder the image of our passport?
What has the Foreign Ministry done about the issues? In the past few weeks, Nigerians have been subjected to all manner of attacks. From xenophobic attacks in South Africa to mass executions in Libya or outright denial of entry into the US as well as the ongoing mass deportations. Yet, Onyema and his group failed to utter a word.
When Onyema managed to speak in response to the xenophobia in South Africa, it was a mere feeble statement which never reflected what he was doing to stop the attacks against Nigerians in the former apartheid enclave. If the Foreign Ministry truly cared about Nigerians and acted accordingly, the attacks would have ceased.
Nigerians will continue to be attacked by other countries because we have a Foreign Ministry that is permanently on vacation. When Trump signed his first executive order widely interpreted in some circles as potentially curtailing the tenure and cost of US visas for Nigerians, the Ministry kept mute even when Nigerians demanded a response.
A Nigerian student, Japheth Omojuwa, was detained recently along with a fellow Nigerian student in South Africa. Omojuwa took to his twitter handle to alert the world. He did so not because he knew he would get attention from Onyema’s Foreign Ministry, but because with the kind of Foreign Affairs Ministry we have, every Nigerian might as well add foreign affairs to their laundry list of do-it-yourself.
At last, it was Abike, whom Onyema thinks wants to hijack his job, that rescued Omojuwa and his colleague. It is on record that whenever Nigerians in distress abroad cry out for help, Dabiri has always been the first person to respond and give succour.
Onyema has to keep his prodigious title aside and allow Nigerians to enjoy the services of those who are willing to work in our foreign affairs sector. Many Nigerians complain about the apathy they suffer in the hands of our foreign missions abroad. Since this is the treatment our people get from their government, why do we blame other countries that always put their citizens first?
At this time of grave uncertainty and rising wave of nationalism globally, an infighting between the Minister and the Special Adviser is absolutely unnecessary and unhelpful to Nigerians. It doesn’t make any sense to the average Nigerian who is overwhelmed with hunger and anger, looking for a means of survival. After all, does it matter who killed the snake? What is important is to get the job done.
Arnold Alalibo
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.
-
News5 days ago
2027: I Stand With Southern Presidency -Ortom
-
Politics5 days ago
Lagos LG Polls: Police Restrict Movement, Tightens Security
-
Politics5 days ago
Reps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar
-
Opinion5 days ago
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
-
News5 days ago
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
-
Sports5 days ago
Coach Eager To Transform El Kanemi Warriors
-
News5 days ago
Tinubu, Govs Forum Congratulate Okpebholo On S’Court Victory …As Obaseki Expresses Disappointment
-
Rivers5 days ago
NDDC: Staff Walk Ten Kilometers To Commemorate 25th Anniversary