Opinion
Managing Government, Media Relationship

The period of bitter antagonism and fiery relationship between the government and the media is over. The media war was experienced under military dictatorship when the media fought its fiercest and most daring war with the government.
The era witnessed the use of obnoxious measures and ferocious forces of facism to coarse the voice of truth, objectivity and plurality of opinion. It was a period dogged by endless clashes and scuffles between journalists and security personnel who clamped down on media houses in an overzealous orgy to sustain the vested interest of the aberrant military authorities.
It was a period trailed by unconscionable victimisation of journalists in the course of performing their civic and professional responsibilities.
Virtually all the Nigerian military despots rolled out their drums of repression against the media in a bid to perpetuate dictatorship and stifle the voice of reason.
As the custodian of truth and the conscience of society, the media became the most vulnerable institution under the military. With utmost zeal, the media fought on until 1999, when the military capitulated to demand for democratic governance.
The successful transition to democratic rule in 1999, heralded a new beginning in the lives of Nigerians. They felt liberated from the decades of captivity under military rule. They felt relieved of the strategic deceptions and political permutations of the military and their civilian accomplices.
The media also adjusted its posture and bended towards helping the new democratic era to succeed. It becomes a moral burden on the part of the media to help in easing the emotional depression on the psyche of Nigerians occasioned by military dictatorship. Nigerians had to mend the broken pieces of their lives and they found in the media, a dependable ally.
The media itself was not ignorant of the need to join forces with the people to herald a new dawn where the rule of law and not the rule of the guns is sacrosanct.
The task was, however, so demanding. The aparty of the people towards governance as a result of military dictatorship waned their awareness. They had become victims of hysteric frustration, beholding matters relating to politics and governance with disgust.
This accounted for why most men of integrity dissociated from politics at that time. It was, therefore, another opportunity for goons and military apologist to rise to sensitive political offices on a platter of gold.
But the media did not lose touch with the reality. The major achievement was to have sent the military to their traditional base before facing the unfolding realities of politics in the country.
It is easier for the media to strive in a democratic system despite the obvious institutional challenges it has to contend with. At least, the freedom of the press is guaranteed to a large extent, and the bulk of the responsibilities is now shifted towards setting agenda for the new regime and reorientating Nigerians to embrace the new vistas of political opportunities to repair their battered life.
With military rule naturally phasing out, the coast becomes clearer for a thriving working relationship between the government and the media. But our present leadership at all levels must apply a meticulous caution to keep the putschists permanently at bay. To win the heart of Nigerians, our political leaders must ensure that they manage the state coffers with a sense of responsibility.
They must realise that the media are corporate partners in the process of governance. They must not treat the media as enemies because the media is vested with the constitutional mandate of checking the excesses of power and holding political leaders accountable to their sworn mandate.
Managing post election tensions has always been a difficult task for Nigerians as cases of betrayal of trust, witch-hunting and other forms of mutual suspicion always rear their ugly heads.
Lack of political ideology also devalues our political system, making politics a game of self appropriation rather than service.
The bulk of the responsibilities of governance in the present democratic dispensation dictates that the face-off between the media and the government needs not arise. Both the media and the government have responsibilities towards the society. Occasionally, the media has to be judgemental but with finesse, decorum and restraint.
The goal of criticism should be to make the criticized see his problem or mistake in a candid, honest manner, rather than through incisive vitriolic and outrageous publications.
Journalists must not deploy their creative energies to resentful, mind-boggling criticisms, but must be at the very centre of social reformation, presenting the truth in a more objective manner.
The journalist must advocate for justice, fairness, peace, honesty, truth, public trust and accountability, while government must not see the penchant of the media for truth as antagonistic.
Government should see the media as a tool of development which should complement its effort in effecting good governance and building trust in the society. The preservation of civil liberties for all and the enjoyment of the fruits thereof depend on a point of convergence between the government and the media.
For Nigeria to rise above the shadows of gloom and unhealthy political rivalries, the citizens, the government and the media must have a symbiotic relationship.
Taneh Beemene
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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