Politics
Amaechi’s Politics Of Inclusion
The Rivers State gov
ernment under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has no doubt recorded some landmark achievements in certain sectors of the society which has ostentiously earned him high degree of respect among his peers.
Like a leader with a mission and vision, the governor’s education policy has attracted accolade from several quarters within and outside the shores of the country.
The State won the coveted first prize in the implementation of the Universal basic Education (UBE), programme and in the health sub sector, the maternal mortility rate has reduced drastically, thanks to the Policy of siting primary Health Centres closer to the people. Similarly, the security challenge met on assumption of office was tackled frontally with its twin brother, obedience to the rule of law which the administration addressed as a matter of priority and restored sanity back to the state.
During the period, the State suffered marginally as investors closed shops, workers were sacked and generally insecurity pervaded the entire environment. These success stories could not have been possible without a leader that is focused in realising the need for proper harnessing of human and material resources which is a sine qua non in determining the achievement that could be made.
Unarguably the selection of players sets the stage for what would eventually be the outcome of a team in terms of results because a good team has different traits, skills and capabilities which when properly galvanized by the leader through deliberate effort to upgrade where necessary will bequeath a people-oriented governance.
Recently, Governor Chibuike Amaechi submitted ten names of Commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and approval to complete the constitution of his new cabinet which he began in piece meal.
The list has names of four former commissioners, Dr. Sampson parker, Barr. Marshall Stanley-Uwom, Charles Gogo Levi and Joe Poroma whose potentials have not been fully utilised and therefore made to return to enable the present administration actualise the vision of giving Rivers people an unparalled leadership.
One of the remaining new nominees include Mr. Chuma Chinye who hails from Delta State but described in several quarters as Delta State born Rivers man having lived a greater part of his live in the state. A lawyer of great repute who functioned as Special Assistant on Ethics and Good Governance to Governor, Chibuike Amaechi between January 2008 to may 2011 and served as Director, Finance and Administration to the Amaechi 2011 Campaign Organisation.
Obviously, the nomination is sequel to critical assessment of performance of Mr. Chuma Chinye as Special Assistant to the governor and the excellent manner in which he discharged assigned responsibilities may have endeared him to his boss.
However, if expressions at the House of Assembly gallery during the screening exercise is anything to go back, it means people were surprise as to what a non indigene could be doing in the hallowed chambers of the Assembly but the answer lies in the assurance of the state executive during his inauguration in May 29, 2011, after the landslide victory in the April polls, (ie.) to lead an all inclusive government.
Opposition Political Parties were invited to join the present government but probably ego and the need to have a strong opposition after the court cases could be responsible for the delay in buying into the system but suffice it to say that there is nothing absolutely wrong with giving non indigenes resident in the state a sense of belonging through their inclusion as Cabinet member.
We are aware of several non indigenes in the state civil service, parastatals and agencies, some have risen to be Permanent Secretaries and Directors.
As a product of the rule of law, Governor Amaechi appreciates section 193 (2) and 14 (4) of the 1999 constitution which provides that any Nigerian who lives in a particular area for upward of ten years and above should merit the same status as natives.
Following the governor’s action, Rivers State has again braced the trail in asserting its position as a cosmopolitan state and headquarters of the South-South Geo-political zone of Nigeria that allows people from all walks of life opportunity to contribute their quota to the overall development of the state.
Having received massive support during the re-election process that cut across religious and political divide as well as ethnic nationalities resident in the state, it is therefore not out of place to justify the contributions of “indigenes from outside the State” towards the economic, political and social growth of the state through their involvement in the governance of the state.
In this respect, therefore, Rivers State has joined the league of states that made appointments to non native residents as Commissioner with the underlying principle of using the best materials available for the greatest interest of Rivers people.
In the case of Lagos State, a non Yoruba descent has been controlling a sensitive Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the result of having a square peg in a square hole perhaps, accounts for the level of success recorded in Lagos State at present.
Also in Enugu State a Yoruba man was saddled with the responsibility of Managing the Media as Special Adviser to the former Governor of that State Chief Chimaroke Nnamani throughout his tenure while in America the government gives equally opportunity to people of all races provided the intellectual and moral ability to function is deposited on the individual.
The man Chinye as Special Assistant on Ethic and Good Governance for the first time effectively Coordinated quarterly interaction between the Governor and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) etc, through which avenue they contributed to the governance of the state.
It is expected that the University of Benin trained lawyer, Mr. Chukwuma Constantine Chinye, would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the new assignment to justify the confidence reposed on him for his inclusion into the State Executive Council and probably pace way for other non indigenes resident in the state to serve.
Infact, the irony of life is that the very enlightened citizens may be the ones to ponder about who comes from where but the common man on the street is not interested in who occupies what position because the paramount issue to them is service delivery that would improve the standard of living.
The Commissioner nominee, a son of the Niger Delta parades an intimating public service credentials and experience as the former Rivers State Coordinator of SERVICOM, former Special Assistant to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, legal Adviser, Board member Federal Inland Revenue Service and the author of best selling socio-political Satire “The Nigerian Factor” among others.
It is on record that even some of our so called indigenous Commissioners well known to us had left a sour taste in the .mouth of Rivers people as a result of their abysmal performance in public office.
Therefore, it behoves a leader to guide and guard his loins as the duty of piloting the affairs of the state must be satisfactorily done with competent hands to achieve set targets.
We strongly hope that having functioned efficiently behind the scene as Special Assistant to Governor Amaechi which earned him the elevation Mr. Chinye would be propelled by the opportunity to redouble his effort and bring his wealth of experience to roast on the new assignment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.