Opinion
Abba Kyari: A Nation Personified?
When a renowned legal luminary in Nigeria, Prof. Itse Sagay, heard that DCP Abba Kyari was fingered in a 25kg cocaine bust by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), along with other high-ranking members of the IG’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), he noted that the news marked the end of an era of crime busting in the Nigeria Police.
This turn of events for the super cop is by far the worst stain on the Police in recent times. He was highly decorated and grew rapidly through the ranks. However, behind the curtains, he has been eating the forbidden fruit even as head of the disbanded Special Anti-Robery Squad (SARS) in Lagos State. Since his unmasking, there has been a torrent of unsavory reports about his ‘boys’. How they exploit and convert the property of suspects for themselves; and withdraw from suspects’ accounts.
Aside from Kyari’s connection with the Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, there is now circumstantial evidence that he is a lynchpin in a drug cartel operating between Ethiopia, Nigeria and Brazil. But this piece is not about the details of Abba Kyari’s crime; rather, it is about the fact that he is a metaphor for the Nigerian condition, and he represents everything wrong with our system of governance, the structure of the country; politics, religion, security, education and culture as earlier defined.
His case, call it the Abba Kyari Syndrome (AKS), seems to reflect a condition which cuts across every institution and every level of government from Aso Rock to the smallest local government; from national behemoths like NNPC to small units in departments; from big national icons like Dangote Plc to street corner small businesses. But, unlike other terminal conditions like cancer, AKS is contagious, and it is everywhere, even in religious organisations.
In recent times, we have seen major symptoms of the AKS in the army’s inability to account for funds meant for the purchase of arms. Under Gen. Buratai, the sum of $1billion was approved by the Senate against the wishes of most Nigerians, but the Army is still crying for lack of a munitions. In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike recently accused an Army captain of giving exit cover to illegal refiners of petroleum products. In the South East, there is an uncountable number of checkpoints manned by the Army, and available report indicates that AKS is in full glare.
But among all the security agencies, the Nigerian Police is regarded as the worst, even though they are the closest to the people; and if AKS were to be cancer, its level in the police would have been considered to be stage four, which is why this condition is named after one of their own. In the police, AKS has metastasised from the police headquarters to zones, state commands, divisions, outposts, and checkpoints.
Last week in Port Harcourt, while in a bus, a police officer after taking N100 from our driver, he commented that more than 90 per cent of the commercial drivers in Port Harcourt lack driver’s licences and complete car papers. So, why are they on the road? Very simple, the AKS in them. Also in Rivers State, it was recently discovered that a divisional police officer owned an illegal refinery. But he was supposed to be fighting this scourge; this is killing Rivers people and the economy.
AKS amongst Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is unprecedented, like a stage-four cancer, most MDAs are waiting for the doctor to call the time of death. Remember how Abdulrasheed Maina, a civil servant and head of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, fleeced over N2 billion belonging to the pensions board. What about the accusations levelled against the current Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, how he has amassed so much wealth while he has been in office. Or, should we even contemplate the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the federal government?
According to Governor Wike, recently, the Nation is bleeding, and for me, the epicentre of this financial haemorrhaging is among the MDAs saddled with revenue generation. But of course, due to endemic AKS, they continue to fail the country, leading to a humongous debt burden. In NIMASA, it was alleged that former MD, Dr Dakuku Peterside, missed a second tenure due to corruption and wastage. During his tenure, N3 billion was reported to have been spent on removing litters and water hyacinth, but his crime was spending $600,000 per day hiring patrol vessels for rapid intervention, neglecting those owned by the agency. As if Dakuku’s tendencies were not bad enough, the current MD, Mr Bashir Jamoh, has been accused of corruption amounting to the tune of N1.5 trillion and $9.557million by one Jackson Use. If this is true, it means that more than what is equivalent to ten percent of the 2022 budget is unaccounted for in NIMASA.
The history of NNPC’s sins runs very deep and wide, and its tendency of pilfering the federation account dates back to 2012. But the subsidy which it tried to dismantle gave the NNPC another layer of covering to do more economic harm to the country. For instance, the NNPC helped itself with an additional N402.423 billion after the CBN has already paid it N407. 801 for subsidy in 2010.
The current dirty petrol saga is another vivid indication of how sick the NNPC is. We, as ordinary Nigerians, lack words to articulate our pain and shame at this huge national embarrassment. We now even hear that this colossal mess will be cleaned up with N201 billion. But since Aso Rock is also sick no one has been fired.
Space will fail me to continue on this trajectory to talk about the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that has spent almost N2 billion with nothing tangible to show for, not even the very important East-West Road. Extant records even reveal that the NDDC is owing contractors as much as N3 trillion. Or, religious leaders who are exploiting millions in the name of prosperity; lecturers who sell grades for sex and money; or the workers who kill the small businesses where they work. Or what shall we even say about politicians who promise and fail? Our woes are many; but the question remains, who will heal our disease? Who is able to bring about a final remedy for our AKS? I have no crystal ball to see 2023, but if President Muhammadu Buhari is an honest man, let him fulfil his promise by signing the Electoral Bill into law. For us ordinary Nigerians, our hope is God but our weapon of choice is the PVC, come 2023. If we miss it again, we may not survive as a nation.
By: Raphael Pepple
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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