Opinion
Nehemiah Nigeriana
Some countries across the globe have wondered, and perhaps feel disappointed, that hitherto Nigeria has not disintegrated, contrary to some earlier predictions. With a news headline: “Nigeria@60: We May Break Up, FG Admits” (The Tide newspaper, Monday 28/9/2020), the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was quoted as saying: “There’s urgent need for Nehemiah in our country, Nigeria, today.” What would a Nigerian Nehemiah do? The answer, according to the Vice President is: “to rebuild the cracks we have in our walls (Nigeria) today”. Cracks, but not a broken wall yet!
What caused the cracks that could lead to break if not properly addressed? Although we were told that the Vice President spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the 60th Independence Anniversary Church Service held at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja on Sunday September 27, 2020, other persons also spoke their minds. There was a sermon by President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Samson Ayokunle, whose summary was that: “We need to do away with lack of trust in order to build a great nation”.
No great nation can be built under a condition of lack of trust. So, the cracks in the walls of the Nigerian nation can be attributed to mutual distrust, among other anomalies. Reference to a Nehemiah came about as a metaphor, a rebuilder of broken-down walls; a preserver of a tottering Biblical nation. We are told that Nehemiah “started with fervent prayers, seeking the face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls.”
A man who would say and do such a thing as Nehemiah, must have a great love, patriotism and loyalty for his country. So, the theme of the Independence Anniversary church service in Abuja, was The Rise of A Nehemia For Nigeria. Let’s call him “Nehemiah Nigeriana”.
Such a hero would not be imposed on the Nigerian nation, rather, in the opinion of CAN, prayers are needed for such rescue process. Osinbajo encouraged Nigerians to study the story of Nehemiah and replicate same in Nigeria for a better country. Quite a challenging task!
Apart from an urgent need for such a national hero, the VP went on to say: “And like Nehemiah faced opposition in his efforts to rebuild the walls, any Nigerian that desires to rebuild Nigeria must also be ready to face stiffer oppositions which will come in torrents.” How and from where would such a national hero arise? The answer lies in prayers. The task and prayers of such a national Nehemiah and those who would back him up should include issues of a proposed Water Resources Bill which the Ijaw Group rejects. The rejection of the bill hinges on distrust and suspicion that it has some hidden agenda and motives.
The tasks of Nehemiah Nigeriana would also include the old whispering of War Indemnity secretly imposed on the South-East and South-South parts of Nigeria arising from the Civil War 1967-1970, for which the Niger Delta people have been on the receiving end of acts of injustice ever since. The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Senator Ita Enang would tell us that “Northerners owned 83% of all Nigeria’s Oil Blocks”.
One of the causes of the cracks in the walls of the Nigerian nation arose from the issue of national security which is not only delicate but shrouded in secrecy and suspicion also. Why, for instance, were the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) tagged terrorists and proscribed, while Boko Haram “militants” are being de-radicalised and re-cycled into the army and police? Similarly, vigilante groups in southern parts of Nigeria are being asked to surrender fire arms meant for soldiers at war, with no one withdrawing same or asking how herdsmen came by such weapons.
The issue of application of double standards and abuse of due process or the rule of law in various cases are glaring enough to cause some cracks in the walls of the nation’s unstable house. From the investigation of allegations of corruption, to giving protection to politicians who decamp to the party in power, Nigerians feel betrayed and bitter. Do we not observe discriminations, double standards and abuses in strategic appointments, revenue disbursements, project allocations, issues about solid minerals vis-à-vis mineral oil and gas, etc?
Why not an open inquiry into an allegation made by Obadiah Mailafia about possible sponsorship of Boko Haram, and why the foot-dragging over the calls for a restructuring of the polity? Have there not been old allegations about doctoring of population figures in the past, for political and revenue allocation purposes? Is there no lack of trust between the Presidency and the Nigerian masses? The issue of spirited movement of cattle into farmlands in the South and open grazing also add to the cracks.
A gift of N150 billion to cattle breeders and merchants by the Federal Government could have been invested in a way to reduce open grazing and the animosity between crop farmers and herders. But questions arising from that angle remain unanswered, thus creating more cracks in the walls which a Nehemiah should rebuild. Coupled with that is the planned construction of a rail line to link Nigeria with its neighbour, Niger Republic, to be financed through a loan. Are fingers not pointing towards boosting of cattle business? What value does that proposed rail-line represent and whose interests are being served thereby?
Hitherto, issues raised by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo about Islamisation, Fulanisation and Sharia controversies in a democratic Nigeria are treated as baseless speculations. Nobody has been told that the leader of the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), Badu Salisu Ahmadu, was invited for a chat by security agents after his outburst months ago. But Mailafia was radical enough to be invited twice for a chat! Who’s afraid of an open inquiry? True federalism!
Without mincing words, one of the causes of the cracks on the walls of the Nigerian nation is a lingering suspicion that indigenes of the Niger Delta zone, as a strategy of oil politics, are being used by power holders to undermine the collective interests of their people. A stable and strong nation cannot be built by the application of divide-and-rule strategy. Either we are striving to be one, based on justice, or we are divided based on shenanigans and duplicity. There is no way a Nehemiah can emerge in such condition. Love and patriotism go with justice! Then add Nehemiah.
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
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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