Opinion

If Not Jonathan, Who Else?

Published

15 years ago

October 13, 2010

The fallen man remains what he is and may not change, even in a life-time.

Nigeria’s October 1, 2010 50th Independence Anniversary celebration bomb blasts that sent about twelve people to their early graves, and leaving several others captivated by the pleasant euphoria of the celebration, under various degrees of injuries, further lends credence to the saying that evil is the pre-occupation of the wicked.

It is worth – stating that no reason is so cogent and compelling to instigate a bomb blast with a resultant loss of lives of unsuspecting and innocent Nigerians of such magnitude at a time when Nigeria is playing host to several African and world leaders on her Independence Day.

When the sanctity of human life is compromised for any reason, then our society is gradually but certainly tottering on the brink of catastrophe. I hold the view that nobody has the power to deliberately take the life of another extra-judicially.

Therefore, the Independence Day blasts, purportedly associated to the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) at a time when about 2,150 ex-militants are undergoing reintegration and rehabilitation programmes at the behest of the Federal Government, is to say the least dastardly, callous, devilish, and of course, alien to the spirit and letter of the Niger Delta struggle.

In my considered view, the action of the malefactor (s) who at best are deviants, dissidents and mere political turn-coats, is tantamount to treasonable felony, a declaration of war against the Federal Government. This is why security operatives in the country should be dispassionate to be able unearth all those directly and indirectly responsible for this action.

The fact that ex-militant leaders and prosecutors of the MEND cause met with President Goodluck Jonathan last Tuesday in Abuja and denied involvement in the act, reveals that there is more to the incident than meets the eye.

In fact, the primordial sentiment expressed by some opposition elements to President Jonathan’s 2011 presidential ambition that he should resign or the National Assembly should initiate impeachment proceedings against him, seems to bring to fore that some faceless politicians intended to use the gory incident to make an un-historic mark to their hurt.

Agreed there were security lapses that needed to be redressed, especially against the background of security operatives’ inability to stem the ugly trend when speculations and premonition of the act, were rife.

But to use the blast as a parameter to determine the suitability of God’s gift, President Jonathan, to pilot the affairs of Nigeria and vie for Presidency in the 2011 presidential election, is a gross misjudgement and fallacious.

Indeed, under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua/Goodluck Jonathan, and now, President Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Federal Government’s amnesty programme, there has been indubitable calm in the Niger Delta region so much so that Nigeria now impresses on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) the need to increase her daily export capacity.

It is obvious that consequent upon the grant of amnesty to the ex-militants, oil production has peaked as oil companies carried out their duties unmolested. Night life has returned to some volatile areas of core Niger Delta states, while ex-militants are also being reintegrated into the society.

I believe that the Federal Government under President Jonathan is not lax or complacent in embarking on infrastructural development of the Niger Delta. It is also far from truth that the President Jonathan’s Federal Government is using ex-militants’ welfare scheme as smokescreen to circumvent the development of the Niger Delta. After all, the basis of development is manpower, and if the man is developed, the city is developed.

It is not saying a new thing that the Niger Delta quagmire is as old as Nigeria’s independence, occasioned by neglect by past administrations. Therefore, to expect a one- swoop overhaul of the rot by President Jonathan, who incidentally is a Niger Deltan, is to fall prey to the fallacy of hasty conclusion; it smacks of unfairness to the president.

This is why a Port Harcourt-based social commentator’s uncomplimentary remarks on Africa Independent Television (AIT) ‘Kakaki’ interview that, Jonathan’s Presidency is not on “merit and that the Niger Deltans’ support for President Jonathan’s presidential bid is based on “filial love”, leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

It beats me hollow what the Kalabari-born analyst meant by “merit”. What is his yardstick for determining merit? What extra pre-requisite outside the dictates of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, does he want Jonathan to possess before he could “merit” the seat of president of Nigeria or the support of the Niger Deltans?

Could it be that his canon for merit is ethnic or religious background? Is it that Jonathan is from Otueke, a small Ogbia community in the minority Ijaw extraction in the Niger Delta region that has influenced his judgement on merit for the Presidency?

Could it be because President Jonathan is not from the Hausa/Fulani oligarchy that his aspiration for Presidency is not on merit? Or could it be that Jonathan has heeded the clarion call of Nigerians to vie for the Presidency on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 elections against the Northern aspirants such as Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Atiku Abubakar, Aliyu Gusau, and Bukola Saraki (all from the privileged North), that is why his Presidency is not on merit?

Is President Jonathan obligated to uphold the constitution of a party when certain provisions conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which section 1, part 1 says, it is supreme.

Besides, President Jonathan swore on oath to uphold the Constitution of Nigeria, as the only supreme legal framework for national administration. It is pertinent to state that even the proponents of and vanguards for zoning have not kept faith with the principle of that arrangement which the ruling party – PDP – enshrined in her constitution.

It is pubic knowledge that the PDP constitution pre-dated the election of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. But during the party’s presidential primaries that eventually saw Chief Obasanjo as the two-term presidential candidate of PDP during the 1998 and 2003 primaries, some politicians from the North also aspired even when the Presidency was zoned to the South under the PDP’s in-house arrangement.

This is not the time to feign patriotism. It is not time to project parochial interest. This is time to stand for reality. And the reality is the paradigm shift of the nation’s leadership from the cabal, whose repressive regimes have plunged this nation to the abysmal turpitude and calamities (in all ramifications) we found ourselves in.

Should we recycle the same old politicians who did not believe in democracy eighteen years ago? These are people who could not raise the hopes of Nigerians on the emergence of democratic governance eighteen years ago. They did not believe in it! What about the losses from the truncated democratic dispensations? They truncated democracy on December 31, 1983, and again, the June 12, 1993, democratic renaissance, they trampled underfoot. Today, they are now democrats, and believe in democracy more than those who worked for and nurtured it. Deceivers!

If these men with such anti-democracy antecedents, whom Nigerians have tested and found to lack the pedigree to pilot the affairs of the nation again, are those that ‘merit’ Presidency and not President Jonathan, then Nigerians are quick to forget where they are coming from, and risk making any headway.

Igbiki Benibo

Opinion

NDDC: Time To Illuminate Homes

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Quote:“Twenty-five years on, the Niger Delta cannot celebrate illuminated streets while families sit in darkness. Development must begin inside the home — where children study, businesses grow, and lives are built — before it glows on the roadside.”

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established in 2000 with a clear and urgent mandate: to facilitate the rapid, even, and sustainable development of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region. The creation of the Commission followed decades of agitation over environmental degradation, infrastructural neglect, and socio-economic marginalization in the region. Its core mandate included the development of roads, bridges, electricity, water supply, health facilities, education, housing, environmental remediation, and economic empowerment initiatives. At inception, expectations were high that the Commission would transform the Niger Delta into a model of regional development. Over the years, the NDDC has indeed implemented numerous projects across the nine Niger Delta states. Roads have been constructed and rehabilitated in several communities, easing transportation challenges.

Schools have been renovated, and new classroom blocks have been provided in underserved areas. Health centres have been built or upgraded, improving access to primary healthcare services. The Commission has also awarded scholarships to students, including foreign postgraduate scholarships, empowering thousands of youths academically.Skills acquisition and youth empowerment programmes have helped many young people gain vocational competencies.Through various interventions, the NDDC has contributed to job creation and local economic stimulation.Solar-powered street lighting projects have been widely implemented in urban and semi-urban communities. These streetlights have improved visibility at night and contributed to enhanced security in some areas. Markets, highways, and public spaces illuminated by solar lights have experienced extended business hours.

For these efforts, the Commission deserves acknowledgment and commendation. However, development must always align with foundational mandates and pressing grassroots realities. A growing concern among residents is that while streets are illuminated, many homes remain in darkness. Rural electrification and household power access remain inconsistent and inadequate across large parts of the region. In riverine and remote communities, families still rely on generators, kerosene lamps, or complete darkness after sunset. The irony of brightly lit streets juxtaposed with powerless homes cannot be ignored. Electricity at the household level directly impacts education, health, and small-scale enterprise. Students cannot effectively study at night without reliable indoor lighting.Families cannot preserve food or power essential appliances without stable electricity.

Micro and small businesses struggle to grow without dependable energy access. While street lighting enhances public aesthetics and security, it does not substitute for domestic electrification. The proverb “charity begins at home” is especially relevant in this context. True community development must first empower households before beautifying public spaces. The Commission’s original mandate emphasizes integrated and sustainable development, not isolated infrastructural gestures. Balanced development requires that energy interventions prioritize homes alongside streets. Solar technology presents a unique opportunity for decentralized household electrification in off-grid communities. Extending solar solutions to individual homes would have a transformative social impact. Home-based solar systems could power lights, fans, small appliances, and communication devices.

Such interventions would reduce poverty, improve living standards, and stimulate grassroots productivity. By broadening its energy focus, the Commission would better reflect the spirit of its founding legislation. This is not a call to abandon street lighting projects, which have their merits. Rather, it is an appeal for balance, inclusivity, and alignment with core developmental objectives. Strategic planning should ensure that rural electrification and household access form a central pillar of ongoing interventions. Community engagement and needs assessments can help determine priority areas for household solar deployment. Twenty-five years after its establishment, the NDDC stands at a reflective moment in its institutional journey. The people of the Niger Delta say: thank you for the efforts so far—but not very much—because true appreciation will come when development begins at home and radiates outward, not merely when streets shine while houses remain in darkness.

By: King Onunwor

Opinion

When Democracy Becomes Too Expensive

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “When elections become investments to be recovered, governance turns transactional and the moral foundation of democracy begins to erode.”

The high cost of participating in politics in Nigeria remains a serious and growing concern. The trend is rising so sharply that democratic competition increasingly risks becoming the preserve of a wealthy few. From exorbitant party nomination fees to campaign logistics, media exposure, litigation expenses, and regulatory charges such as the proposed ?150 million campaign advertising permit reportedly introduced in Enugu under Governor Peter Mbah, the financial barriers to public office are steadily hardening. If not addressed, this trajectory could erode inclusion, weaken electoral credibility, and deepen corruption within the political system.

Money has always played a role in politics. Elections require funding for mobilisation, communication and administration, while political parties need resources to organise primaries and reach voters across the nation’s diverse terrain. However, when financial demands become excessive, they cease to be necessities and instead become structural barriers that exclude capable citizens from participation.

The Enugu situation provides a troubling case study. Reports indicate that the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) announced a mandatory ?150 million advertising permit fee for parties and candidates participating in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections. According to the agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, the fee would permit deployment of campaign materials — banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts and handbills — and street rallies, with sanctions for non-compliance.

One is compelled to ask: how can someone vying for office be required to pay ?150 million merely as an advertising permit, separate from nomination forms and other logistics? Where would a civil servant, a teacher earning N70,000 minimum wage, or a young graduate eager to serve find such a sum? How can ordinary citizens compete in a system demanding such staggering outlays?

An opposition party has described the steep fee as a ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State to stifle opposition participation. Whether sustained or not, the perception is damaging. Aside from incumbents or those backed by powerful interests, how many candidates can realistically afford ?150 million solely for advertising clearance?

There is no dispute that state agencies have legitimate responsibilities. Regulating outdoor advertising and preventing visual pollution are valid objectives. However, such regulation should not come at a heavy cost to Nigeria’s fragile democracy. The Aninwike-led ENSSAA and similar bodies must recognise that while regulation is necessary, affordability is essential for democratic participation.

The constitutional framework recognises the central role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring free and fair elections. Yet formal administration is only part of the democratic equation. Informal financial pressures — delegate inducements, media monetisation, security logistics and post-election litigation — already multiply the cost of contesting beyond official limits. Massive campaign-related fees further compound an expensive process.

Recent findings presented at a policy engagement organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Abuja underscored the gravity of the situation. House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda warned that Nigerian politics is becoming an elite preserve in which only those with deep pockets can compete. Access to vast financial resources, he argued, has become a near precondition for political viability, transforming what should be a civic right into an expensive venture.

He noted that politics in Nigeria has been thoroughly monetised, systematically pricing out women, youth and persons with disabilities — the very groups policy frameworks claim to uplift.

The implications are disturbing. In a context where elections are viewed as investments, public office becomes a site of capital recovery. Contracts are inflated, appointments monetised, and governance turns transactional. What emerges is a vicious cycle: only the wealthy can contest, and once in office, they seek to recoup their investment, deepening public cynicism and eroding the moral basis of governance.

Although some parties waived nomination fees for women in 2017 and 2023, and parties such as the Young Progressive Party were formed to promote youth participation, exorbitant campaign expenditures continue to sideline many aspirants. Women accounted for only about 8.4 per cent of candidates in the 2023 general elections, with similarly low youth representation.

The cumulative effect is dangerous. When political entry is determined primarily by financial capacity rather than competence or vision, the recruitment pool narrows drastically. Talented professionals and grassroots organisers may never appear on ballots simply because they cannot afford the price of entry. A system that filters out merit while rewarding wealth weakens governance outcomes.

Nigeria must therefore treat rising electoral costs not as routine complaints but as democratic stability concerns. Political parties should drastically reduce nomination fees, especially for women, youth and persons with disabilities. Transparent fundraising and spending disclosures should replace opaque financing structures.

Regulatory agencies must balance administrative control with democratic openness. Campaign advertising fees should be proportionate and structured in ways that do not create artificial barriers. INEC and other enforcement institutions must strengthen monitoring of spending ceilings and apply meaningful sanctions for violations.

Civil society, the media and professional bodies also have critical roles to play. Public discourse should prioritise issue-based campaigns rather than money-driven spectacle.

Ultimately, democracy thrives not merely when elections are conducted, but when they are genuinely accessible. Political participation must remain a civic right, not a luxury commodity. Nigeria’s democratic journey cannot afford to drift into a system where leadership selection depends primarily on financial muscle rather than merit and service.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

Righteous Leadership Still Thrives

Published

2 weeks ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “Institutional decay is not irreversible when integrity and action sit at the helm.”

In every institution, there comes a defining moment when leadership either deepens decline or inspires rebirth. For the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (Publishers of The Tide), that defining moment arrived when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir. Honour Sirawoo Ph.D, came to share the premises with the Staff of The Corporation due to the ongoing renovation work at the State Secretariat. For years, the physical condition of the corporation mirrored the uncertainty that hung in the air. Leaking roofs told silent stories during the rainy season, damaged floors bore the weight of neglect, and the once vibrant environment seemed to plead for urgent attention. Staff members worked under conditions that tested both resilience and commitment. Buckets placed strategically to catch dripping water became a routine sight at some quarters, while cracked tiles and weathered walls diminished the pride that should accompany service in a state-owned media institution.

Yet, in the midst of these challenges, hope was not entirely lost. There remained a collective belief that with purposeful leadership, restoration was possible. That hope found expression when Honour Sirawoo Ph.D., Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Information, assumed as a co-occupier. His arrival was quiet, but his impact would soon resonate loudly across the premises.Leadership, it is often said, is not about occupying an office but about occupying responsibility. From his earliest inspections of the corporation’s facilities, it became evident that he saw not just buildings in disrepair, but a workforce deserving of dignity.The transformation began swiftly. Contractors appeared on site. Assessments were carried out with precision. Plans were not merely announced; they were implemented. Leaking roofs that had long defied repair were carefully amended.

For the first time in years, staff could listen to rainfall without anxiety. Damaged floors were reconstructed, restoring both safety and aesthetics. Walking through the corridors no longer required cautious navigation around broken surfaces. The fencing of the premises, once a pressing security concern, became a priority. A properly secured environment now speaks of order, responsibility, and foresight. General maintenance, often overlooked in public institutions, was institutionalized. From structural reinforcements to aesthetic upgrades, the corporation began to wear a new look. But beyond bricks and mortar, something deeper changed. Morale improved. Staff productivity increased. The psychological boost of working in a conducive environment cannot be overstated. The transformation has not merely been cosmetic; it has been cultural.

Workers now speak with renewed pride about their workplace. Visitors to the premises have noticed the difference. The once tired-looking structures now stand as testimony to what decisive leadership can accomplish. In governance, righteousness is reflected in fairness, diligence, and a genuine concern for people. These virtues have characterized the stewardship of Honour Sirawoo Ph.D.His approach demonstrates that public office is a sacred trust, not a ceremonial title. He has shown that administrative leadership can be both compassionate and result-driven.The improvements at the corporation align with a broader vision of strengthening information dissemination in Rivers State. A vibrant media institution is essential for democratic growth.By restoring the physical infrastructure of The Tide, he has indirectly strengthened the voice of the state. Journalists and editors now operate in an atmosphere that encourages excellence.

It is often said that environment influences output. The recent editions and renewed energy within the newsroom reflect this truth. When righteous leadership prevails, systems respond positively. Accountability replaces complacency, and progress becomes measurable. Honour Sirawoo Ph.D. has exemplified a leadership style rooted in integrity and practical action. He did not merely acknowledge problems; he confronted them. Such commitment deserves recognition beyond routine commendation. It speaks to a capacity for higher responsibilities within the state’s administrative architecture. Rivers State stands at a critical juncture where visionary administrators are needed across ministries and agencies. Leaders who understand that development begins with attention to detail are invaluable. The transformation at the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation serves as a case study in responsive governance. It proves that institutional decay is not irreversible.

Higher positions of trust demand proven competence, moral uprightness, and administrative foresight. In these respects, Honour Sirawoo Ph.D. has demonstrated remarkable readiness. His performance suggests suitability not only for continued leadership within the Ministry of Information but also for broader strategic roles that shape state policy. Beyond the state, Nigeria’s public service landscape requires administrators who combine academic depth with practical efficiency. His credentials and achievements place him in that league. “When the righteous bear rule, the people rejoice” is more than a biblical aphorism; it is a lived experience within the corporation today. The chapter of the Holy Bible that declares, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice”, (Proverbs 29:2), is a timeless reminder that good governance brings joy and stability to the people.

The joy of the staff is visible in their renewed dedication. The pride of ownership has returned. The institution breathes again. History often remembers leaders not for speeches but for tangible impact. The restored roofs, repaired floors, secured fences, and ongoing maintenance are enduring symbols of purposeful governance. The place started its journey to new looks with the arrival of the acting General Manager, Stella Gbaraba, who in her little way, initiated and executed some repair works in the premises. It will be worthy to point out that the duo are of the Ogoni extraction of the state, it is then safe to say that the combination is superb in that it has produced some excellent results. Importantly, the Permanent Secretary did not stop at The Tide Newspaper premises alone. His vision of renewal extended beyond a single institution to embrace all the State owned media houses under the ministry’s supervision.

At Rivers State Television, he executed massive renovation works that redefined the operational environment. Offices were upgraded, structural defects corrected, and modern standards restored to a facility that serves as a visual voice of the state. State-of-the-art office equipment were procured to enhance efficiency, ensuring that staff members could perform their duties with contemporary tools befitting a modern broadcast station. Radio Rivers too also got its own share of the Permanent Secretary’s benevolence and team spirit. Understanding the strategic importance of radio in grassroots communication, he ensured that critical infrastructure received attention. He provided them with steady power supply, reducing the interruptions that once hampered seamless broadcasting and ensuring consistency in programming delivery.

A functional Out Broadcast Van (OB Van) was made available, expanding the station’s capacity for live coverage of events across the state and beyond. The studios were upgraded to be up-to-date, improving sound quality, technical operations, and overall broadcast standards in line with modern expectations. Garden City Radio equally got its own touch in a superlative way. Renovation, equipment upgrades, and operational enhancements positioned the station on a stronger footing. Across the board, his interventions were not selective but comprehensive, reflecting a leadership philosophy anchored on inclusiveness and institutional strengthening. His target generally is to leave the State-owned media houses in a better shape than he met them. That objective is not rhetorical; it is practical and measurable in bricks, cables, studios, offices, and renewed human confidence.

By strengthening television, radio, and print under one coordinated vision, he has reinforced the information architecture of Rivers State. The cumulative effect of these interventions is a more vibrant, responsive, and professional state media system capable of meeting contemporary communication demands. As the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation along side its sister state-owned media houses continue their journey, it does so strengthened by the evidence that righteous leadership still thrives. And indeed, when the righteous bear rule, the people truly rejoice.

By: King Onunwor