Opinion
Requiem For Servant-Leader
According to an An1erican educationist, Horace Mann (1 7961859), we all should be ashamed to die until we have won a victory for humanity. Nigeria was thrown into mourning when it was announced that the President and Commander in Chief of the country, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had died. The President died in his bedroom at the Presidential Villa, in Aso Rock, Abuja, on May 5, 2010. The President was buried in Katsina, Katsina State, on May 6, 2010, at Danmarma Cemetery, Katsina where his late father, Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua and elder brother Major-General Musa Yar’Adua were buried. Before his death, he was diagnosed to be suffering from Kidney problem and acute pericarditis (inflammation of the outer covering of the heart). Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became the president of Nigeria on May 29, 2007 and died on May 5, 2010. Before this time, he was the Governor of Katsina State from May 29, 1999 to May 28, 2007.
The late president was born in Katsina in 1951 to the family of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who was the Minister for Lagos in the First Republic (1960-66). He had his early education at the Rafukka Primary School, Dutsina Boarding Primary School and Government College, Keffi between 1958 and 1969. The President had his higher education at Barewa College and the Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1971 and 1978, where he specialised in analytical chemistry in 1978.
After his National Youth Service Corps programme, he lectured at the College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria,’ Kaduna State. He left lecturing and went into the private sector in 1983. In the private sector he held various positions including Chairman, National House Press Limited from 1995 to 1999.
His political career started in the second Republic (1979-1983) when he was a member of the People’s Redemption Party. Yar’ Adua was a pioneer member of the People’s Front,. a political association under the leadership of his elder brother, late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua. That association later metamorphosed into the Social Democratic Party during the transition programme of General Ibrahim Babangida. In 1999, he was the governorship candidate of the People’s Delnocratic Party for Katsina State and won. He repeated this in 2003 and succeeded. It is on record that he was the First Governor to declare his assets. He also declared his assets as President of Nigeria. His eight-year tenure in Katsina State was a successful one. There was visible improvement in almost every sector of the state which greatly endeared him to the people of that state.
As already noted he became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May, 2007 and died in May, 2010 after three years due to illness. Meanwhile, many people have reacted to the death of the President. In his tribute, his successor President Goodluck Jonathan emphasised that President Yar’Adua’s contributions to political development and good governance would never be forgotten. He stressed that he would always occupy a pride of place in the political history of our dear nation. President Jonathan said, the late president was a man of great personal integrity, deep devotion to God and outstanding humility. According to him, in his public service he displayed uncommon commitment to the peace, progress and unity of our country. He stated that President Yar’Adua had left for us a profound legacy that provided a firm foundation for Nigeria’s future, adding that his exit had created a huge vacuum in his personal contributions to the political growth and development of our country.
In his own reaction, General Ibrahim Babangida said, it was pathetic and utterly painful. He pointed out that every death would bring with it tears of pain and sorrow, of grief and discomfiture. He stressed that Yar’Adua was great in death and graceful in life, adding that he represented our daily struggles in life’s bramble forest. Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim said, it was a great loss and a calamity. He emphasised that he was an honest leader and detribalised Nigerian who meant well for the masses. Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, described the death as a sad loss. He said, President Yar’Adua was an apostle of democracy and a firm believer in the rule of law and fair play stressing that he received the’ news with shock. Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva described the death as a national tragedy. He said, Yar’Adua was a great leader who had the best intentions for the country.
All told, Yar’Adua spent three years in office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is from May, 2007 to May 2010. He was a peaceful man; very gentle in character and disposition. He believed in the rule of law and due process. That was why when the Supreme Court ruled that Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was the proper person to be the Governor of Rivers State, President Yar’Adua directed that he should be sworn in immediately. He did the same when Adams Oshiornhole of Action Congress won his case in Edo State. Also when Olusegun Mimiko was declared governor of Ondo State, he did order that he should be sworn in immediately. Yar’Adua brought peace to the Niger Delta Region with his amnesty programme. He set up the Niger Delta Ministry to be in charge of the Niger Delta affairs. He was a fair minded man who believed in equal opportunity to all. Again, that was the way he chosed Dr Goodluck Jonathan to be his running mate during Presidential elections of 2007. He released the Lagos State Local Government fund that was seized by his predecessor in office. He did not live to complete his tenure. Nobody can dictate to nature. That is life. But it is our opinion that he was a successful man and did win a victory for humanity. Goodbye, servant-leader.
Dr Tolofari Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria.
Mann Tolofari
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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