Opinion
Activities Calling For Public Inquiries
One of the fruitful purposes of public inquiries into the activities of state institutions is the provision of opportunities for exposures of insider-malfeasance which are usually covered up for self-preservation purposes. Without such provisions and opportunity to expose weaknesses and malfeasance of public organisations, there is usually the tendency of some powerful individuals to create a culture that power and public offices are private inheritances. Nigeria has suffered long enough because of this culture of privatisation of power and public offices.
Among activities calling for public inquiries must be mentioned the shenanigans connected with oil block allocation in Nigeria. The military must bear a large portion of the malfeasance in the domain of oil and gas industry and activities related thereto. The practice of wielding big sticks and offering carrots as strategies for buying favour and intimidating those who stick out their heads, cannot continue, where transparency must feature. Similarly, the practice of sweeping strong allegations and snippets under the carpet must not continue.
Let it be revealed openly here that vested interests which were ready to make Nigeria ungovernable for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, were members of the oil block cartel. Jonathan’s attitude towards oil politics was distasteful to the hawks and predators in the oil and gas sector. It was suspected that if given a second chance as President, he would step upon sensitive toes and damn the consequences. Surely, he had a glimpse of the malfeasance in that sector!
It is also an open secret that the ability to privatise power and wealth, especially in the politics of oil and gas, demands a strong backing of the intelligence and security services. Matters that arose from the Watergate scandals in the United States of America, revealed the truth that security and secret service agencies are close allies of power holders. Where they work hand-in-hand, fair can be foul and foul fair, but the cat can be let out from the bag where there are conflicting interests. Or moral values?
Definitely there are state secrets and interests that cannot be toyed with or sold into wrong hands. In a book titled: National Security and the American Society, Trager and Simonie defined national security as “the part of government policy having as its objective the creation of national and international conditions favourable to the protection and extension of vital national values, against existing or potential adversaries”. It is obvious that every country has some vital national values which must be preserved and protected, which duty falls on the nation’s security services.
For Nigeria, vital national values undoubtedly would include the integrity, honour, stability, pride and glory of the nation. But would the preservation and protection of such national values include covering acts that are treasonable in nature, just because such malfeasance emanated from a “sacred cow”? Does the protection of national values include sweeping under the carpet grave allegation such as was made by Dr Obadiah Mailafia regarding possible sponsorship of Boko Haram insurgency?
Was a responsible senior citizen and a former Chief of Army Staff, T.Y. Danjuma, wrong to have warned that “the ethnic cleansing must stop now, otherwise Somalia will be like child’s play”? He went on to say: “Nigerians are no longer feeling secure in their land” and also pointing fingers at the military as being complicit. Similarly, was Professor Omo Omoruyi wrong to have said that the Nigerian security apparatus is skewed in favour of the Muslim North? With several allegations against Fulani herdsmen over innumerable acts of hostility against communities and individuals, are the nation’s security organs seen to be alive to their responsibilities?
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries are sectors of public services whose activities call for critical inquiries. With reference to the issues of fuel subsidy and unsatisfactory state of the nation’s refineries, there is an obvious need that the jinx which keeps holding the nation to ransom should be looked into. The fear expressed by concerned Nigerians is that the cartel and cabal holding the oil and gas sector hostage are not only too strong but also can be dangerous. Therefore if even there is a public inquiry, there surely would be an eventual subversion.
Even with an expectation of a passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, there are still many issues that beg for public inquiries. Wherever there are activities which cannot stand the test of transparency, there are usually treats towards any move to institute an independent public inquiry into such activities. Even making such suggestion as this can be dangerous.
Among organisations outside the public sector whose activities call for public inquiry are various religious sects, not only of the Christian denominations. Not only that religion has become a commercial venture, more under the cover of religion, there are shocking activities that would not be proper to mention here. Because of the awe and reverence which religion evokes, many atrocities have been committed under the name of God. It would be shocking to hear what testimonies many victims of religious fraudsters would give, if there be a public inquiry into the activities of various religious sects.
Ranging from organised fraud, to acts of vicious terrorism, religious sects feature as smooth operators. From tax evasion to money laundering, religious sects are involved. So it becomes necessary to focus some searchlight on their activities. But, the fear, again, lies in the possibility of subversion, diversion of attention and possible attack on those who initiate or get involved in such inquiries. To start with, there must be a check on proliferation of religious sects and movements.
Finally, the history of abandoned public projects and looting of public assets under various guises, have been such that some public inquiry becomes needful. Unless we want to sweep everything under the carpet, because of the enormity of inquiring into innumerable malfeasance, to allow situations to continue as they are would not do the nation any good. Let’s have the audacity and courage to examine ourselves in public.
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
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
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.
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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