Opinion
Another River To Cross
About three months to the April general election, the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and, indeed, the Nigerian nation still have many rivers to cross for the electorate to exercise their franchise unimpeded.
Free, fair, and credible election is a function of many factors, some of which are an electoral act that is well thought out and unambiguous, a bold, patriotic, and really impeccable electoral umpire, adequate funding of the electoral process, an aggressive civic and voter education, intra-party democracy that is guided by party constitution and other internal rules and procedures, an effective and efficient law enforcement machinery, democratic maturity of the political class, and the citizenry, and, most importantly, a voters’ register that is genuine, verifiable, and clean.
Following the criticisms by groups and well meaning individuals across the country against Professor Maurice Iwu, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan eased him out six weeks ahead of his June 13, 2010 terminal dates as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission. And in his place, he appointed the distinguished academic and former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Attahiru Jega and assured Nigerians that the new electoral umpire will conduct free and fair elections for the country.
Apparently, Professor Jega has, so far, lived up to expectations. Within his few months in office as the Chairman, INEC, he obtained the approval of his commission’s requests for the amendment of the Electoral Act and release of funds for the execution of the 2011 elections. And without much delay, he concluded actions on the timetable for political party primaries and the general elections for 2011.
Though Professor Jega’s outings in the Delta State’s governorship re-run election and party primaries across the country have been described by some observers as a mixed bag, they have been generally appraised as significant improvements over past electoral exercises.
But Professor Jega and his team are yet to cross the Rubicon. It goes without saying that Professor Jega has set a goal to deliver to Nigerians, free fair, and credible elections.
But goals are dreams. They are exercises of the imagination. So by now, I believe that Professor Jega must have realised that the achievement of his dream of conducting a free and fair election for the country would be a real struggle with reality.
Now he has acquired virtually all the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines and other materials required for the compilation of a reliable new voters’ register that will serve as the basis for transparent and credible elections in the country. He has deployed them to the various registration centres across the country. He has recruited the personnel, trained them and posted them out to the different units. Security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peace, decorum, and security at the registration centres. Awareness has been sufficiently generated for the registration exercise and eligible voters have enthusiastically answered the clarion call.
In fact, the trooping out en masse by eligible voters to participate in the exercise is a clear indication of the confidence reposed in Professor Jega and his team to tackle the numerous problems that have beset the conduct of elections in the country and shows the peoples’ belief that INEC is fully prepared to prosecute the challenging assignment of voter registration. At the take off of the exercise last Saturday, Professor Jega expressed optimism that the dream of having a credible voters’ register would be realised. He observed that the exercise took off on a successful note all over the country.
But frustration, irregularities, and complaints have trailed the 15-days exercise which is in its fifth day today. Across the various registration centres there have been serious complaints about the Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCMs), scanners and other facilities that have failed to work effectively, efficiently, and smoothly.
Besides, it is being reported that in some registration centres both machines and the officials do not arrive on time to enable eligible voters get registered.
In all, four days have completely gone and the entire exercise still continues as a cumbersome and drudgery adventure.
While some are lucky enough to be registered within a time period of 30 minutes, others spend hours in vain with the explanation that they may be hypertensive or diabetic patients or that their fingers or thumbs are not well washed.
The truth is that even if INEC deploys the DDCMs completely to the 120,000 registration units nation wide, it may not be possible for all the patriotic and enthusiastic Nigerians who have been thronging the registration centres to be registered within the remaining ten days.
Therefore, it behoves Professor Jega and his team to rise to the challenge without further delay in order to sustain the interest of Nigerians in the exercise. So far, the hitches being faced by the prospective participants in the exercise have not deterred them from making daily efforts to ensure that their names are registered. But how long will they continue to try?
In the present circumstance, INEC may have to suspend the exercise for a few days in order to keep its house in order. Within the break period, INEC should be able to identify the problems and deal with them to the satisfaction of all Nigerians. Apparently the machines have been dysfunctional and very slow for the exercise, and most of the personnel lack the required skill for the job. This will be the time to ensure that proper things are done including adequate training of those operating the machines to save Nigerians the valuable time they are wasting at registration centres.
Certainly, Professor Jega is very much aware that Nigerians expect so much from him and that the voter registration exercise is a most herculean task for his leadership of INEC.
So, as the foundation for a free, fair, and credible election and a necessary requirement to make every vote count, no stone should be left unturned to ensure that Nigeria has a commendable, genuine and dependable voters’ register.
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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