Opinion

2015 Election: In The Eyes Of The People

Published

11 years ago

April 20, 2015

Mr Hope Solomon – Civil Servant.
Compared to previous
elections, I think this year’s election is better. Though there were some areas where violence was reported but at Port Harcourt Township where I voted, everything went smoothly, calmly, there was no problem.
I think so far, this is the best election. For the first time a sitting president conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the election immediately. We were not expecting it. We were even thinking that the election would have been very violent but everything went peacefully. Compare to previous elections, this one was more violent free.
Though we recorded success in the past election, I believe there is still need for improvement. In subsequent elections we have to improve more. We should improve on the card reader. We also need to do something about the age limit of voters because we saw some areas where underage children were voting during the past election. We also have to carry out more sensitisation. We should minimize rigging. Rigging is not good. We heard about rigging in some areas and it is not the best. When we rig we can’t have the best candidates. Let the electorates say who they want and not the hijacking of electoral materials that was reported in some areas.
And for the people that were elected, a lot is expected. They should improve on what the current administration has done so that Nigeria will be a better country for all of us.

Deacon Levin Mgbudu – Financial analyst.
In my view I think the system we are in is generally corrupt. So you can’t say this person is right. None of the political parties that took part in the elections did the right thing. I look at what happened during the election as the survival of the fittest, you play the game I know you can play, I play the game you know I can play. So if I over-smart you, I become the winner. That was exactly what happened not only in Rivers State.
We know that Rivers State has been a volatile state, the relative peace we have here is very very fragile. Most people were afraid of participating in the elections. A lot of people stayed at home. The few that went out observed a lot of irregularities. So my overall assessment is that all of them played the game together and one came out successful. But that is not what election is supposed to be.
Ideally, everybody is supposed to go to the polling station for accreditation, after that you queue up to cast your vote without any molestation, without any fear, without somebody behind you or somebody to drag the ballot box papers or box. So, the best thing is to be on the queue, cast your vote, you wait or you go home as INEC instructed. But it was the other way round. By this I mean PDP went to play their game to succeed, APC equally went to play their game to succeed, the same with Labour Party. So, no one is a saint here as far as Rivers State election is concerned.
So for future elections we need to educate our people and also bring back the old system of electoral process, that is ensuring that the electorates conduct themselves properly. If possible the police or the army should guide the people to be on queue, they should cast their votes peacefully and those that are responsible to count the votes should be there to make sure that our votes count.
There were a lot of irregularities in the past election in many states of the federation. We know in the north that underaged children voted. So INEC should come up with proper re-orientation of our people. Let them know the right thing to be done. If the card reader will be a kind of problem in future, then we should go back to former manual accreditation system. Maximum security should also be provided. I also insist that our people should be enlightened on the electoral process. A lot of people do not know what they are supposed to do. All some people know is that election is all about struggle. To struggle, to carry weapons to overpower your opponents. Once you overpower him, you become the winner. They should tell our people that this is not the right thing. We should have that re-orientation towards the electoral processes.

Mr Iheanyi Ezinwo-Newspaper Publisher.
You know before the election there was so much tension. People were scarred. Those living up north, especially the southerners were travelling home. There was a general atmosphere of uncertainty. But looking back, I can say that the election was peaceful. Yes there had been some skirmishes in one or two places, you know conflict is a natural thing, you can’t rule it out. But one thing that was noticeable was that the election was largely peaceful. I think that is one element that stands out at the end of the elections. Both at the national and state levels, it was largely peaceful compared to the tension that was building up before the elections. Definitely you don’t expect a human being to get everything perfectly. Definitely there were problems and that was why some people had argued that the card reader shouldn’t have been brought at this large scale of elections in Nigeria, that it would have been better if they had brought it during Anambra, Ekiti or Osun elections, so that they would have been able to identify the issues and rectify them before coming to national level.
In every human activity conflicts are bound to arise but it depends on how they are managed. I believe that in Rivers State we had our own fair share of the challenges and I want to believe also that INEC had taken some steps to address the problems where they identified them.
Having said that, I also believe that there are areas we need to improve upon in our future elections. One key area is on security. It’s unfortunate that some characters came up with spurious arguments and even went to court and got some judgement that armed security operatives should not be seen around the polling units. That was why some of these things happened. It’s like some of those people have some ulterior motives. Subsequently, armed policemen or even military should be engaged. Even if they are not inside the polling station, they should be around that area. That will check all the thugs from coming around to freely cart away electoral materials and disrupt the electoral process.
So we are happy that the elections have come and gone peacefully but I will advice those elected to subordinate their interests to the interest of the public. Look at what Jonathan did, he subordinated his own interest to national overall interest. So I want to advise them, yes they have aspirations, personal interest but please that should be within the limits of national interest.
Again, they should work together because it is in working together that they will be able to achieve more and move the country forward.

Mr Lundi Frank Waribo – Politician
Almost before every election people talk about how heads will roll during the election. But take a clean look at it, they say that without Egypt there will be no Nile and without Nile there will be no Egypt. There is no way you can remove at least a bit of rigging in politics.
It’s always everywhere more especially in a country like Nigeria. We are not a developed country. We are just one of the developing countries. So if you remove rigging completely, you can’t make it right. In my own ward in Andoni where I voted the election was free and fair. We heard there were killings in certain area but I don’t believe that. We were not there. They were just framing it to make the whole world believe in them. In the north we saw children that were not of voting age taking part in the election but in order to allow peace reign in the country, President Jonathan accepted defeat without grudges. Incidentally, in Rivers State here, some of our former leaders are causing problems for us. They don’t want us to go forward. Elections have come and gone but they will remain in the guilty memories of the past while the rest forges ahead.
The introduction of the card readers was too new to every Nigerian but it did work though not perfectly but let’s go on with that, it will improve.
In future elections, INEC should also check the way people go about enticing people with money in polling units on election days. If we can stop people from coming to the polling centres with bags of money on election days it will help us grow. Our mothers in the village do not know where to vote or who to vote for, but if they are able to go to them and tell them what is happening in the country they will be able to take a decision and tell you where they want to vote. So INEC should carry out more sensitisation.

Mrs Lilian Okonkwo – Journalist.
For me, the 2015 general election was free and fair. Be that as it may you cannot rule that the fact that there were some incidents that were quite condemnable. But on the average, when you take a look at those incidents and the percentage of those that came out and the percentage of those who voted, we have every reason to say that the election was free and fair. Of course the world is not a perfect place and we cannot expect it to be perfect. We all know that there was problem with the card readers, there was problem of late arrival of electoral materials. But in all, I think INEC did a good job.
In future elections I will like us to improve upon the card reader because you find out that in most areas they ended up voting without making use of the PVC or the card reader. So it means that we weren’t really ready for the card reader. We all had stories of how it rejected President Jonathan and his wife, not leaving out the masses. There were a lot of complains. I know some people who had to clean their hands with kerosene, people who had to pull off one water proof from the card reader to enable it work and things like that.
So I’m hoping that in 2019 these issues would have been solved and then we get it much, much better. On the issue of violence, well we have always had it like that but I am thinking that by 2019 Nigerians should drop that attitude of killing, shooting and all that. We should all be reasonable. We should act reasonably and put aside that idea of shooting and killing so that our election will be more credible. Our politicians should also learn how to accept defeat and move on and also support those who win to make a better society. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s reactions as regards his defeat is a very big lesson for us all. It is not easy for an incumbent to lose a election. So if somebody at that level who could have used the military, the police and the Nigerian oil money to ensure that he remains in power could concede defeat and even call to congratulate his opponent, I think it is a big lesson for us all.
Other contestants should learn a lesson from that. If the man who is at the apex of leadership could conceded defeat, why not every other persons?
For emphasis, I observed the elections, I went round Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGAs and what I saw was good. Fortunately for me I didn’t see any terrible incident, and so it gives me the reason to say that the election was free and fair.

Opinion

NDDC: Time To Illuminate Homes

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Quote:“Twenty-five years on, the Niger Delta cannot celebrate illuminated streets while families sit in darkness. Development must begin inside the home — where children study, businesses grow, and lives are built — before it glows on the roadside.”

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established in 2000 with a clear and urgent mandate: to facilitate the rapid, even, and sustainable development of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region. The creation of the Commission followed decades of agitation over environmental degradation, infrastructural neglect, and socio-economic marginalization in the region. Its core mandate included the development of roads, bridges, electricity, water supply, health facilities, education, housing, environmental remediation, and economic empowerment initiatives. At inception, expectations were high that the Commission would transform the Niger Delta into a model of regional development. Over the years, the NDDC has indeed implemented numerous projects across the nine Niger Delta states. Roads have been constructed and rehabilitated in several communities, easing transportation challenges.

Schools have been renovated, and new classroom blocks have been provided in underserved areas. Health centres have been built or upgraded, improving access to primary healthcare services. The Commission has also awarded scholarships to students, including foreign postgraduate scholarships, empowering thousands of youths academically.Skills acquisition and youth empowerment programmes have helped many young people gain vocational competencies.Through various interventions, the NDDC has contributed to job creation and local economic stimulation.Solar-powered street lighting projects have been widely implemented in urban and semi-urban communities. These streetlights have improved visibility at night and contributed to enhanced security in some areas. Markets, highways, and public spaces illuminated by solar lights have experienced extended business hours.

For these efforts, the Commission deserves acknowledgment and commendation. However, development must always align with foundational mandates and pressing grassroots realities. A growing concern among residents is that while streets are illuminated, many homes remain in darkness. Rural electrification and household power access remain inconsistent and inadequate across large parts of the region. In riverine and remote communities, families still rely on generators, kerosene lamps, or complete darkness after sunset. The irony of brightly lit streets juxtaposed with powerless homes cannot be ignored. Electricity at the household level directly impacts education, health, and small-scale enterprise. Students cannot effectively study at night without reliable indoor lighting.Families cannot preserve food or power essential appliances without stable electricity.

Micro and small businesses struggle to grow without dependable energy access. While street lighting enhances public aesthetics and security, it does not substitute for domestic electrification. The proverb “charity begins at home” is especially relevant in this context. True community development must first empower households before beautifying public spaces. The Commission’s original mandate emphasizes integrated and sustainable development, not isolated infrastructural gestures. Balanced development requires that energy interventions prioritize homes alongside streets. Solar technology presents a unique opportunity for decentralized household electrification in off-grid communities. Extending solar solutions to individual homes would have a transformative social impact. Home-based solar systems could power lights, fans, small appliances, and communication devices.

Such interventions would reduce poverty, improve living standards, and stimulate grassroots productivity. By broadening its energy focus, the Commission would better reflect the spirit of its founding legislation. This is not a call to abandon street lighting projects, which have their merits. Rather, it is an appeal for balance, inclusivity, and alignment with core developmental objectives. Strategic planning should ensure that rural electrification and household access form a central pillar of ongoing interventions. Community engagement and needs assessments can help determine priority areas for household solar deployment. Twenty-five years after its establishment, the NDDC stands at a reflective moment in its institutional journey. The people of the Niger Delta say: thank you for the efforts so far—but not very much—because true appreciation will come when development begins at home and radiates outward, not merely when streets shine while houses remain in darkness.

By: King Onunwor

Opinion

When Democracy Becomes Too Expensive

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “When elections become investments to be recovered, governance turns transactional and the moral foundation of democracy begins to erode.”

The high cost of participating in politics in Nigeria remains a serious and growing concern. The trend is rising so sharply that democratic competition increasingly risks becoming the preserve of a wealthy few. From exorbitant party nomination fees to campaign logistics, media exposure, litigation expenses, and regulatory charges such as the proposed ?150 million campaign advertising permit reportedly introduced in Enugu under Governor Peter Mbah, the financial barriers to public office are steadily hardening. If not addressed, this trajectory could erode inclusion, weaken electoral credibility, and deepen corruption within the political system.

Money has always played a role in politics. Elections require funding for mobilisation, communication and administration, while political parties need resources to organise primaries and reach voters across the nation’s diverse terrain. However, when financial demands become excessive, they cease to be necessities and instead become structural barriers that exclude capable citizens from participation.

The Enugu situation provides a troubling case study. Reports indicate that the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) announced a mandatory ?150 million advertising permit fee for parties and candidates participating in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections. According to the agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, the fee would permit deployment of campaign materials — banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts and handbills — and street rallies, with sanctions for non-compliance.

One is compelled to ask: how can someone vying for office be required to pay ?150 million merely as an advertising permit, separate from nomination forms and other logistics? Where would a civil servant, a teacher earning N70,000 minimum wage, or a young graduate eager to serve find such a sum? How can ordinary citizens compete in a system demanding such staggering outlays?

An opposition party has described the steep fee as a ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State to stifle opposition participation. Whether sustained or not, the perception is damaging. Aside from incumbents or those backed by powerful interests, how many candidates can realistically afford ?150 million solely for advertising clearance?

There is no dispute that state agencies have legitimate responsibilities. Regulating outdoor advertising and preventing visual pollution are valid objectives. However, such regulation should not come at a heavy cost to Nigeria’s fragile democracy. The Aninwike-led ENSSAA and similar bodies must recognise that while regulation is necessary, affordability is essential for democratic participation.

The constitutional framework recognises the central role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring free and fair elections. Yet formal administration is only part of the democratic equation. Informal financial pressures — delegate inducements, media monetisation, security logistics and post-election litigation — already multiply the cost of contesting beyond official limits. Massive campaign-related fees further compound an expensive process.

Recent findings presented at a policy engagement organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Abuja underscored the gravity of the situation. House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda warned that Nigerian politics is becoming an elite preserve in which only those with deep pockets can compete. Access to vast financial resources, he argued, has become a near precondition for political viability, transforming what should be a civic right into an expensive venture.

He noted that politics in Nigeria has been thoroughly monetised, systematically pricing out women, youth and persons with disabilities — the very groups policy frameworks claim to uplift.

The implications are disturbing. In a context where elections are viewed as investments, public office becomes a site of capital recovery. Contracts are inflated, appointments monetised, and governance turns transactional. What emerges is a vicious cycle: only the wealthy can contest, and once in office, they seek to recoup their investment, deepening public cynicism and eroding the moral basis of governance.

Although some parties waived nomination fees for women in 2017 and 2023, and parties such as the Young Progressive Party were formed to promote youth participation, exorbitant campaign expenditures continue to sideline many aspirants. Women accounted for only about 8.4 per cent of candidates in the 2023 general elections, with similarly low youth representation.

The cumulative effect is dangerous. When political entry is determined primarily by financial capacity rather than competence or vision, the recruitment pool narrows drastically. Talented professionals and grassroots organisers may never appear on ballots simply because they cannot afford the price of entry. A system that filters out merit while rewarding wealth weakens governance outcomes.

Nigeria must therefore treat rising electoral costs not as routine complaints but as democratic stability concerns. Political parties should drastically reduce nomination fees, especially for women, youth and persons with disabilities. Transparent fundraising and spending disclosures should replace opaque financing structures.

Regulatory agencies must balance administrative control with democratic openness. Campaign advertising fees should be proportionate and structured in ways that do not create artificial barriers. INEC and other enforcement institutions must strengthen monitoring of spending ceilings and apply meaningful sanctions for violations.

Civil society, the media and professional bodies also have critical roles to play. Public discourse should prioritise issue-based campaigns rather than money-driven spectacle.

Ultimately, democracy thrives not merely when elections are conducted, but when they are genuinely accessible. Political participation must remain a civic right, not a luxury commodity. Nigeria’s democratic journey cannot afford to drift into a system where leadership selection depends primarily on financial muscle rather than merit and service.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

Righteous Leadership Still Thrives

Published

2 weeks ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “Institutional decay is not irreversible when integrity and action sit at the helm.”

In every institution, there comes a defining moment when leadership either deepens decline or inspires rebirth. For the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (Publishers of The Tide), that defining moment arrived when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir. Honour Sirawoo Ph.D, came to share the premises with the Staff of The Corporation due to the ongoing renovation work at the State Secretariat. For years, the physical condition of the corporation mirrored the uncertainty that hung in the air. Leaking roofs told silent stories during the rainy season, damaged floors bore the weight of neglect, and the once vibrant environment seemed to plead for urgent attention. Staff members worked under conditions that tested both resilience and commitment. Buckets placed strategically to catch dripping water became a routine sight at some quarters, while cracked tiles and weathered walls diminished the pride that should accompany service in a state-owned media institution.

Yet, in the midst of these challenges, hope was not entirely lost. There remained a collective belief that with purposeful leadership, restoration was possible. That hope found expression when Honour Sirawoo Ph.D., Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Information, assumed as a co-occupier. His arrival was quiet, but his impact would soon resonate loudly across the premises.Leadership, it is often said, is not about occupying an office but about occupying responsibility. From his earliest inspections of the corporation’s facilities, it became evident that he saw not just buildings in disrepair, but a workforce deserving of dignity.The transformation began swiftly. Contractors appeared on site. Assessments were carried out with precision. Plans were not merely announced; they were implemented. Leaking roofs that had long defied repair were carefully amended.

For the first time in years, staff could listen to rainfall without anxiety. Damaged floors were reconstructed, restoring both safety and aesthetics. Walking through the corridors no longer required cautious navigation around broken surfaces. The fencing of the premises, once a pressing security concern, became a priority. A properly secured environment now speaks of order, responsibility, and foresight. General maintenance, often overlooked in public institutions, was institutionalized. From structural reinforcements to aesthetic upgrades, the corporation began to wear a new look. But beyond bricks and mortar, something deeper changed. Morale improved. Staff productivity increased. The psychological boost of working in a conducive environment cannot be overstated. The transformation has not merely been cosmetic; it has been cultural.

Workers now speak with renewed pride about their workplace. Visitors to the premises have noticed the difference. The once tired-looking structures now stand as testimony to what decisive leadership can accomplish. In governance, righteousness is reflected in fairness, diligence, and a genuine concern for people. These virtues have characterized the stewardship of Honour Sirawoo Ph.D.His approach demonstrates that public office is a sacred trust, not a ceremonial title. He has shown that administrative leadership can be both compassionate and result-driven.The improvements at the corporation align with a broader vision of strengthening information dissemination in Rivers State. A vibrant media institution is essential for democratic growth.By restoring the physical infrastructure of The Tide, he has indirectly strengthened the voice of the state. Journalists and editors now operate in an atmosphere that encourages excellence.

It is often said that environment influences output. The recent editions and renewed energy within the newsroom reflect this truth. When righteous leadership prevails, systems respond positively. Accountability replaces complacency, and progress becomes measurable. Honour Sirawoo Ph.D. has exemplified a leadership style rooted in integrity and practical action. He did not merely acknowledge problems; he confronted them. Such commitment deserves recognition beyond routine commendation. It speaks to a capacity for higher responsibilities within the state’s administrative architecture. Rivers State stands at a critical juncture where visionary administrators are needed across ministries and agencies. Leaders who understand that development begins with attention to detail are invaluable. The transformation at the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation serves as a case study in responsive governance. It proves that institutional decay is not irreversible.

Higher positions of trust demand proven competence, moral uprightness, and administrative foresight. In these respects, Honour Sirawoo Ph.D. has demonstrated remarkable readiness. His performance suggests suitability not only for continued leadership within the Ministry of Information but also for broader strategic roles that shape state policy. Beyond the state, Nigeria’s public service landscape requires administrators who combine academic depth with practical efficiency. His credentials and achievements place him in that league. “When the righteous bear rule, the people rejoice” is more than a biblical aphorism; it is a lived experience within the corporation today. The chapter of the Holy Bible that declares, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice”, (Proverbs 29:2), is a timeless reminder that good governance brings joy and stability to the people.

The joy of the staff is visible in their renewed dedication. The pride of ownership has returned. The institution breathes again. History often remembers leaders not for speeches but for tangible impact. The restored roofs, repaired floors, secured fences, and ongoing maintenance are enduring symbols of purposeful governance. The place started its journey to new looks with the arrival of the acting General Manager, Stella Gbaraba, who in her little way, initiated and executed some repair works in the premises. It will be worthy to point out that the duo are of the Ogoni extraction of the state, it is then safe to say that the combination is superb in that it has produced some excellent results. Importantly, the Permanent Secretary did not stop at The Tide Newspaper premises alone. His vision of renewal extended beyond a single institution to embrace all the State owned media houses under the ministry’s supervision.

At Rivers State Television, he executed massive renovation works that redefined the operational environment. Offices were upgraded, structural defects corrected, and modern standards restored to a facility that serves as a visual voice of the state. State-of-the-art office equipment were procured to enhance efficiency, ensuring that staff members could perform their duties with contemporary tools befitting a modern broadcast station. Radio Rivers too also got its own share of the Permanent Secretary’s benevolence and team spirit. Understanding the strategic importance of radio in grassroots communication, he ensured that critical infrastructure received attention. He provided them with steady power supply, reducing the interruptions that once hampered seamless broadcasting and ensuring consistency in programming delivery.

A functional Out Broadcast Van (OB Van) was made available, expanding the station’s capacity for live coverage of events across the state and beyond. The studios were upgraded to be up-to-date, improving sound quality, technical operations, and overall broadcast standards in line with modern expectations. Garden City Radio equally got its own touch in a superlative way. Renovation, equipment upgrades, and operational enhancements positioned the station on a stronger footing. Across the board, his interventions were not selective but comprehensive, reflecting a leadership philosophy anchored on inclusiveness and institutional strengthening. His target generally is to leave the State-owned media houses in a better shape than he met them. That objective is not rhetorical; it is practical and measurable in bricks, cables, studios, offices, and renewed human confidence.

By strengthening television, radio, and print under one coordinated vision, he has reinforced the information architecture of Rivers State. The cumulative effect of these interventions is a more vibrant, responsive, and professional state media system capable of meeting contemporary communication demands. As the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation along side its sister state-owned media houses continue their journey, it does so strengthened by the evidence that righteous leadership still thrives. And indeed, when the righteous bear rule, the people truly rejoice.

By: King Onunwor