Editorial

Military Subvertion Of Rivers Electoral Process

Published

7 years ago

March 12, 2019

The political abracadabra in Rivers State took another twist and colouration on Saturday, March 9, during the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections as men in military uniforms strongly suspected to be men of the Nigerian Army had a field day, as they reportedly hijacked the entire political process, leaving in their trails tears, blood, anguish and lamentation. The military did not only hold the State hostage going by reports but also laid siege on the State and her people, and in the process turned the State to a battle ground of sorts.
The political conuldrum started way ahead of the March 9 polls as the soldiers had started baring their fangs as far back as last Tuesday when some indigenes and residents of the State were hounded and whisked away to unknown destinations. Several others are said to be cooling their heels in military barracks in Port Harcourt including the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja and the Executive Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chief Tom Aliezi, to mention but a few. Ironically, members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State are prime targets of this military onslaught.
The military operation reached its climax on the election day proper. The men in military uniforms were accused of snatching ballot boxes and perpetrating other sundry electoral infractions in a bid to satiate the voracious political appetite of their pay masters, which at the end of the day, culminated in the indefinite suspension of the electoral processes of the State last Sunday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) .
While putting the electoral process in the State on hold, INEC’s Director of Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye said, “Based on reports from our officials in the field, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has determined that there has been widespread disruption of elections conducted on the 9th day of March, 2019 in Rivers State.”
This is even as INEC in the state through its Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department, Mr. Edwin Enabor, accused the military and the police of placing the INEC office in Port Harcourt under siege.
As expected, several reactions had greeted the suspension of the electoral processes in the State by INEC with several keen observers of the political development in the state calling on INEC to do the needful by declaring genuine results collated at the various units during the elections.
While reacting to the development, the Rivers State Government through the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah described it as a calculated attempt by INEC, the Army and the Police to subvert the will of Rivers people by declaring concocted results for the governorship election, and accused soldiers and SARS personnel of storming collation centres and hijacking already collated results, alleging that soldiers and SARS personnel, working with APC leaders had mutilated the results to the advantage of a political party.
To this end, the state government urged INEC to insist only on results from card readers, saying that any other action will be at variance with the votes cast by the people.
Several other individuals and organisations including traditional rulers have condemned in strong terms the overt militarisation of the State and involvement of security agencies, particularly the military in the electoral process of the State.
However, the military hierarchy has also dissociated itself from undue interference in the electoral process of the state.
The Tide strongly condemns the circumstances leading to the indefinite suspension of the electoral processes in the State by INEC as well as the subvertion of the electoral process by the military.
We join the state government to call on INEC to go ahead and announce results emanating from duly accredited voters through the card readers in the various polling units of the State. This is moreso when the electoral umpire through its Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had made it categorically clear before the March 9 elections that the use of card readers at the polling centres was compulsory. Anything short of this, is unacceptable and anachronistic.
We also make bold to say that any defence being put up by the military hierarchy to exonerate its men from the show of shame that took place in Rivers State under the guise of elections is hog wash and this can hardly hold water. We say so because if the military agrees that it truly deployed its men to provide security and protect the citizens from harm’s way during the elections, it is equally culpable because it failed in its professional duty to checkmate the so-called men in ‘military uniforms’ who brandished all manner of sophisticated weapons in the course of the elections.
Infact, going by what played out during the recent elections, particularly considering the conduct of our soldiers, we doubt if the military is truly capable of protecting the territorial integrity of this nation, the original role assigned to it in the country’s Constitution.
Frankly speaking, there is a serious need for the military to turn over a new leaf, purge itself of this political stigma and redeem its seriously battered image instead of its fruitless struggle to deny the obvious. It should with immediate effect release all those still held hostage at its barracks in Port Harcourt.
Besides, we are at a loss why the police hierarchy is still keeping the FSARS Commander, Mr. Akin Fakorede in the state when he had long been deployed out of the state. His continuous stay in the state casts a huge moral burden on the police, bearing in mind that he was seriously indicted by INEC’s report during the rerun elections in the state in 2016.
Indeed, this is the time for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the various political gladiators in the State to take stock, have a deep introspection and embrace peace in the collective interest of the State. They should realise that their actions and inactions have ostensibly made the state a laughing stock in the comity of states. Needless to stress that their continuous political bickerings and deep-seated animosity have been an ill wind that has done the state no good.
Two wrongs, they say, can never make a right. It is better to bury the political hatchets now, as no actions of today can justify or ameliorate the wrongs of yesteryears. Politics is not a do or die affair. It is a game and never a warfare. It has its clear-cut rules and winners who enjoy the mandate of the people must emerge at the end of the day. It is only the will of the people that must stand. Nothing else will count.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.