Opinion
End Of The Political Armageddon?
Nigeria is synonymous with history, after all the two words have the same seven alphabets. History is a living subject, in Nigeria. Political history is our daily phenomenon which beckons for study.
Our Political history is littered with valuable lessons capable of preventing us from plunging into the same old mistakes each time and again if we are ready to learn.
In 1999, a presidential election which tried to rebuild the quaked foundation of Nigeria’s nationhood after the June 12, annulment was believed to have been rigged in favour of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was challenged in the court by Chief Olu Falae, history was made. Many subscribed to the position that democracy was put to test. Falae while granting an interview to “Africa Today” maintained that if asked tomorrow by his children, what he did when things were going wrong in Nigeria, he would offer an answer. He was confronting the forces of political evil at the time who never allowed the good force supported by peoples mandate to be actualized.
Subsequent elections in Nigeria took similar dimensions and in most cases due to our imperfect systems, evil always triumph over good politically through temporarily.
Recently the entire nation of over 140,000,000 (million) people, men and women, children and infants, muslims and Christians, traditional African religionists and atheists, northern and southerners, leaders and followers were forced into a political war between good and evil. This bloodless war was occasioned by the absence of the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for barely 80 days. This plunged Nigeria into a rudderless ship status without a president of 80 days. Nigerians are the best politicians in sub sahara Africa because they exploit every political terrain and position.
The Constitutional responsibility to transmit a letter of medical vacation abroad to the national assembly was manipulated. Quickly actors of the political Armageddon emerged with the former minister of justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) as the flag bearer of those against. Majority of Nigerians in favour of elevating vice president Goodluck Jonathan to the status of an acting president cued behind different organizations and independent voices. Both parties found favour in constitutional provisions which made it partly a constitutional crisis. Court actions were instituted and peaceful march organised, prominent among them was the one led by Pastor Tunde Bakare under the platform of save Nigeria Group.
Nigeria’s hard earn democracy was truly at the verge of collapse. Elder statesmen led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari broke their silence and demanded Jonathan’s elevation. Concerned Nigerians led by former Senate President Pius Anyim toed the same line. The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) which the ex-justice minister is a member went to court. The media were not left out as media executives publicized their position demanding an acting president.
Aondoakaa was not alone. An Octogenarian Northern politician Yakassai released his bombshell while former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu-e-mailed the voice of the middle Deltans in the political inferno which had raised the temperature of every Nigerian Political leader, past and present who was directly or indirectly involved in Yar’Adua emergence as president tried to explain his role. President Obasanjo did it and incurred the wrath of PDD stalwarts and pro-Yar’Aduas.
The Khaki boys were watching the scene with mixed feelings as their bosses continued to issue media statements urging calm and total abstinence from the on going political quagmire.
Our national assembly as politically strategic as they were acted their own scenes in the national drama. While the infantry soldiers were fixing their shots with sundry weapons, the Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili in a veteran soldier style, fired the missile that marked the beginning of the end of the political Armageddon. This jolted the executive council of the federation according to one time minister of justice. The Senate woke up from its slumber and spoke the same language. Majority of Nigerians were speaking. In the final analysis, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, an Ijaw, a Niger Deltan, from the South-South geo-political zone for the first time assumed the status of an acting president. History once more has been made.
One of the salient relies of the political battle has been the temporary transcendence of Nigerians above ethnic and religious chauvinism. The Aondoakaa led troop lost and bowed to the voice of the people which is axiomatically the voice of God. Nobody loses a war and retains his title and territory, he lost his position as justice minister.
An anonymous philosopher once asserted: People who forget about the past are condemned to repeat it. Without the past, the present seems to have no foundation or have its meaning distorted. History is about people and events. We have been compelled by circumstance to face the reality of some inadequacies in the constitution hoisted on us by the military and their apologist lawyers. Never again will this happen, efforts must be made to effect constitutional amendments. Nigerians should not go to sleep because the battle is not completely over. The forces against Jonathan that was vehemently opposed to his becoming acting President has gone back to the drawing board to strategies. The North is known for its powerful caucus which cannot be undermined. However time changes everything. This is another new blood to Nigeria democracy to make it more robust and sturdy. In the loudest Ovation, I commend the heroes and heroines of the historic and ever important political war. The triumph of good over evil is permanent.
Long live Nigeria.
Agi is a PG Student, UNN.
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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