Editorial
Wike: Kudos For More Legacy Projects

Rivers State Government has, again, embarked on another round of critical infrastructure commissioning across the State. A programme of activities released by the state Ministry of Works reveals that the first round of the projects’ inauguration commenced on Monday, November 14, and to end on Friday, December 2, 2022. Governor Nyesom Wike inaugurated the newly built Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnostic Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt last Monday.
According to the programme, the landmark projects, cutting across all 23 local government areas of the state, would begin at 11 am each day. The projects listed for inauguration included the gigantic Rumuepirikom Flyover Bridge, constructed by Julius Berger Plc at Rumuepirikom Junction in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Wednesday, November 16. Also commissioned the previous day was the Basic Clinical Science building of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Other projects are the longest flyover in Port Harcourt christened: Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Flyover Bridge, also constructed by Julius Berger Plc at Abuja Bypass Junction by Olu Obasanjo, which was unveiled on Thursday, November 17. Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari is invited to commission the Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School, today.
The rest are the Mgbuitanwo internal roads, handled by Julius Berger Plc at Mgbuitanwo Community in Emohua Local Government Area. The Rukpokwu-Rumuapu-Izo-Igbodo-Igwuruta link road, constructed for the state government by Okmas Nigeria Limited; the Akpabu-Omudioga-Egbeda Road, with MCC Nigeria Limited as contractors. The ceremonies for the unveiling of the Rukpokwu-Rumuapu-Izo-Igbodo-Igwuruta link road and Akpabu-Omudioga-Egbeda Road would hold at Rumuapu Junction on Monday, November 21; and Omapu-Akpabu on Tuesday, November 22.
Also to be commissioned are the Rukpakwolusi-Eliogbolo Community New Layout Road, constructed for the state government by Okmas Nigeria Limited; the Mgbuosimini Community ring/link roads, handled by Ferotex Construction Company Limited. According to the programme, the unveiling activities of both projects would be held at Rukpakwolusi Pipeline Road, and Mgbabo in Ancient Cultural Arena, Mgbuosimini community, on Saturday, November 26, and Friday, December 2, 2022, respectively.
The Rivers State Executive Council had approved the release of N78 billion for the completion of various ongoing projects across sectors and the flag-off of new ones. The approval was made to ensure that ongoing projects were not left uncompleted by the contractors for lack of funds. The government’s massive investment in basic infrastructure is catalyzing the rapid economic growth of the state.
Recall that in September this year, Governor Wike commissioned some essential projects spread across four local government areas of Etche, Degema, Emohua and Ahoada West. The activities included the inauguration of the Etche Campus of the Rivers State University, as well as flag-off of the construction of a one-storey building consisting of six units of a three-bedroom flat and six units of a two-bedroom flat respectively.
Equally commissioned then were Community Secondary School, Obuama (Harry’s Town) in Degema Local Government Area, by the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, Emohua Campus of the Rivers State University, as well as flag off of the construction work on the one-storey building consisting of six units of three-bedroom flat and six units of two-bedroom flat, specifically.
One beautiful thing about Wike’s approach to governance has remained his determination not to leave any of his projects uncompleted and his commitment to completing uncompleted projects of previous administrations. The governor has always assured Rivers people that his administration would not abandon any ongoing project, regardless of the economic downturn in the country. He has demonstrated this by completing several projects abandoned by some of his predecessors in office.
He puts it so succinctly: “I will not leave any project unfinished. I will make sure all the projects we have started are finished. If they are not finished, maybe at 90 or 95 per cent completion, when my successors, Siminialayi Fubara and Prof. Ngozi Ordu come, they should use them for their first 100 days in office projects and commission them. This is because they are part of what we are doing …”
Governor Wike deserves commendation for his performance in developing Rivers State through the execution of legacy projects. A unique factor about his administration is it ensures that it touches every nook and cranny of the state. So, there is always something the government has done in every community that people can catch a glimpse of and celebrate. This is a clear departure from the past when projects were concentrated only in the big cities, harming the smaller towns.
X-raying Wike’s scorecard, it is obvious that in the more than seven years of his administration, he has truly touched the length and breadth of Rivers State through the building of roads, renovation of primary and secondary schools, basic and comprehensive health centres, general hospitals, agriculture, provision of employment, scholarships, security, the state teaching hospital, among others. And the governor delightfully said he would continue working until the very last day of his administration.
Rivers people can attest to Wike’s doggedness, commitment, and steadfastness in the state’s craftsmanship, which indeed earned him the sobriquet “Mr Projects”. Since his emergence as governor of Rivers, he has left no stone unturned in his quest to bring unprecedented infrastructural and human capacity development to the state. Any wonder he bagged a distinguished award in Infrastructure Delivery in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the development of Rivers State from President Muhammadu Buhari.
At a time some governors are struggling to do projects, citing economic hardship compounded by inflation, many have wondered how the Rivers governor has remained consistent in the execution of developmental projects. Wike’s love for the people of Rivers State is the driving force behind his leadership performance. Congratulations, Governor Wike, on your no mean achievements and tenacity in dealing with challenges! We stand eternally grateful.
Editorial
Benue Killings: Beyond Tinubu’s Visit

The recent massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, ranks among Nigeria’s deadliest attacks of
2025. While official figures put the death toll at 59, media reports and Amnesty International estimate between 100 and 200 fatalities. This atrocity extends a decade-long pattern of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where Beacon Security data records 1,043 deaths in Benue alone between May 2023 and May 2025.
President Tinubu’s visit on 18 June—four days after the 14 June attack—has drawn sharp criticism for its lateness. This delay echoes a history of inadequate responses, with Human Rights Watch documenting similar inaction in Plateau and Kaduna states since 2013, fuelling a culture of impunity. The attack lasted over two hours without meaningful security intervention, despite claims of swift action.
The violence bore hallmarks of genocide, with survivors recounting systematic house burnings and executions. More than 2.2 million people have been displaced in the region since 2019 due to comparable attacks. Data show Benue’s agricultural output falls by 0.21 per cent in crops and 0.31 per cent in livestock for every 1 per cent rise in violence.
Security forces continue to underperform. No arrests were made following the Easter attacks in April (56 killed) or May’s Gwer West massacre (42 killed). During his visit, Tinubu questioned publicly why no suspects had been detained four days after Yelewata, highlighting entrenched accountability failures.
The roots of the conflict are complex, with climate change pushing northern herders south and 77 per cent of Benue’s population reliant on agriculture. A Tiv community leader described the violence as “calculated land-grabbing” rather than mere clashes, with over 500 deaths recorded since 2019.
Government interventions have largely fallen short. The 2018 federal task force and 2025 Forest Guards initiative failed to curb violence. Tinubu’s newly announced committee of ex-governors and traditional rulers has been met with scepticism given the litany of past unkept promises.
The economic fallout is severe. Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” is crumbling as farms are destroyed and farmers displaced. This worsens the nation’s food crisis, with hunger surges in 2023-2024 directly linked to farming disruptions caused by insecurity.
Citizens demanding justice have been met with force; protesters faced police tear gas, and the State Assembly conceded total failure in safeguarding lives, admitting that the governor, deputy, and 32 lawmakers had all neglected their constitutional responsibilities.
The massacre has drawn international condemnation. Pope Leo XIV decried the “terrible massacre,” while the UN called for an investigation. The hashtag “200 Nigerians” trended worldwide on X, with many contrasting Nigeria’s slow response to India’s swift action following a plane crash with similar fatalities.
Nigeria’s centralised security system is clearly overwhelmed. A single police force is tasked with covering 36 states and 774 local government areas for a population exceeding 200 million. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, 29,828 killings and 15,404 kidnappings were recorded nationally. Proposals for state police, floated since January 2025, remain stalled.
Other populous nations offer alternative models. Canada’s provincial police, India’s state forces, and Indonesia’s municipal units demonstrate the effectiveness of decentralised policing. Nigeria’s centralised structure creates intelligence and response gaps, worsened by the distance—both physical and bureaucratic—from Abuja to affected communities.
The immediate aftermath is dire: 21 IDP camps in Benue are overwhelmed, and a humanitarian crisis is deepening. The State Assembly declared three days of mourning (18-20 June), but survivors lack sufficient medical aid. Tragically, many of those killed were already displaced by earlier violence.
A lasting solution requires a multi-pronged approach, including targeted security deployment, regulated grazing land, and full enforcement of Benue’s 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law. The National Economic Council’s failure to prioritise state police in May 2025 represents a missed chance for reform.
Without decisive intervention, trends suggest conditions will worsen. More than 20,000 Nigerians have been killed and 13,000 kidnapped nationwide in 2025 alone. As Governor Hyacinth Alia stressed during Tinubu’s visit, state police may be the only viable path forward. All 36 states have submitted proposals supporting decentralisation—a crucial step towards breaking Nigeria’s vicious cycle of violence.
Editorial
Responding To Herders’ Threat In Rivers

Editorial
Democracy Day: So Far…

Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 marked a watershed moment in the nation’s political history. After enduring nearly 16 years of successive military dictatorships, Nigerians embraced a new era of civil governance with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. Since then, the country has sustained a democratic system for 26 years. But, this democratic journey has been a complex mix of progress and persistent challenges.
The formal recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged a long-standing injustice. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, Nigeria’s freest, betrayed the democratic aspirations of millions. That it took decades to honour this date reflects the nation’s complex relationship with its democratic memory.
One of the most momentous successes of Nigeria’s democracy has been the uninterrupted civilian rule over the last two and a half decades. The country has witnessed seven general elections, with power transferring peacefully among different political parties. This is particularly notable considering that prior to 1999, no civilian government had completed a full term without military intervention. The peaceful transitions in 2007, 2015, and 2023 are testaments to Nigeria’s evolving democratic maturity.
Electoral participation, while uneven, has also reflected a level of democratic engagement. In 2003, voter turnout stood at about 69 per cent, but this figure dropped to approximately 34.75 per cent in 2023, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the declining turnout raises concerns, it also highlights the increasing expectations of the electorate, who demand credible and transparent elections.
Another area of progress is the growth of a vibrant and free press. Nigerian media has played a crucial role in holding governments accountable and fostering public discourse. Investigative journalism and civil society activism have exposed corruption and human rights abuses. The rise of social media has further expanded the democratic space, enabling young Nigerians to mobilise and advocate for change, as evidenced by the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Judicial independence has seen mixed results. On one hand, the judiciary has occasionally demonstrated resilience, such as in landmark rulings that overturned fraudulent elections or curtailed executive excesses. On the other hand, allegations of political interference and corruption within the judiciary persist, undermining public confidence in the legal system’s impartiality.
Nigeria’s democracy has also facilitated the decentralisation of power through the federal system. State governments now wield some autonomy, allowing for experimentation in governance and service delivery. While this has led to innovative policies in some states, it has also entrenched patronage networks and uneven development across the federation.
Despite these successes, Nigeria’s democratic journey faces formidable problems. Electoral integrity remains a critical concern. Reports from election observers, including those from the European Union and ECOWAS, frequently highlight issues such as vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and violence. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results in 2023 elections showed promise, but technical glitches and alleged manipulations dampened public trust.
Corruption continues to be a pervasive issue. Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25/100. Democratic institutions meant to check graft—such as anti-corruption agencies and the legislature—often struggle due to political interference and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Security challenges have also strained Nigeria’s democracy. Insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist agitations in the South East, and herder-farmer conflicts across the Middle Belt have collectively resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, Nigeria ranks as the eighth most impacted country by terrorism. The government’s difficulty in ensuring safety erodes public confidence in the state’s capacity and legitimacy.
The economy poses another critical remonstrance. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $2,400 as of 2024, with over 40 per cent of the population living below the national poverty line. High unemployment and inflation have fueled discontent and disillusionment with democratic governance, especially among youth. Without addressing economic grievances, the democratic dividend will remain elusive for many Nigerians.
Ethnic and religious divisions further complicate Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. Politicians often exploit identity politics for electoral gains, exacerbating social tensions. Although federal character principles aim to promote inclusiveness, they have also sometimes fostered a quota mentality rather than merit-based appointments.
Gender representation remains inadequate in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Women occupy less than 10 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates globally. Efforts to pass gender parity bills have faced stiff resistance, highlighting deep-seated cultural and institutional barriers to female political participation.
Civil liberties, while constitutionally guaranteed, are under threat. Crackdowns on protesters, restrictions on press freedom, and surveillance of activists reveal an authoritarian streak within the democratic framework. The controversial Twitter ban in 2021 exemplified the country’s willingness to curb digital freedoms, prompting domestic and international criticism.
The political crisis in Rivers State embodies broader democratic struggles. Attempts to control the state through undemocratic means expose weaknesses in federal institutions and the rule of law. Immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State is vital to preserving Nigeria’s democratic integrity and institutional credibility.
Local governments remain under the control of state governors, depriving citizens of grassroots democracy. Last year’s Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy is promising, but state-level resistance threatens its implementation. Genuine autonomy would bring governance closer to the people and foster democratic innovation.
As we mark Democracy Day, we must honour the sacrifices of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Femi Falana, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Pa Alfred Rewane, President Bola Tinubu, and countless others, who fought for Nigeria’s freedom. As democracy in Nigeria continues to evolve after 26 years, this day should inspire action toward its renewal. With despotism and state failure as real threats, both citizens and leaders must take responsibility—citizens by demanding more, and leaders by delivering. Excuses are no longer acceptable.