Politics
Amadi: end Of An Era
The death of Chief Hon. Boniface Kinikanwo Amadi
signifies the end of an era in Rivers State.
BK as Amadi was fondly called needed no introduction in the politics of Rivers State. He came to public consciousness in 1983 as the arrowhead of the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) that withstood and survived the arsenal of the ruling party then, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He was elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly which was then dominated by the NPN, making him the only lawmaker elected on the platform of the NPP in the House.
Although his tenure as a State lawmaker lasted for barely three months, from October to December 1983, he brought poise, discipline and elegance to politics. To cap it all, nature blessed him with a captivating colour that stood him out among others and fetched him the nick name, “White man.”
BK showed unalloyed empathy for grassroots politics; this motivated him to form Good Friend Association that groomed and brought many young politicians to national and state limelight. He did not end there; he tried his best to bring succour to the less privileged in his area.
From a humble beginning at Nkpolu Orogbum in Rebisi, Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State where he was born on 27th December, 1948, the late lawmaker attended Saint Paul Primary School and Asa Grammar School, Aba, now in Abia State for his primary and secondary education, respectively. He later enrolled for part time in the University of Port Harcourt where he bagged a Diploma in Political and Administration.
He started his political journey in 1976 when he aligned with late Dr. Obi Wali and others to agitate for the creation of Port Harcourt State. It was the belief then that the Ijaws were marginalizing other ethnic groups in the old Rivers State, hence some ethnic groups decided to agitate for Port Harcourt State.
At the formative stage of a new political arrangement in the country in 1978, BK became the Port Harcourt Local Government Area Youth Leader of the NPP. He worked with others to deliver the party in the local government specifically in Constituency Three of Port Harcourt Local Government Area where late Hon. Mark Okpara was elected in 1978 into the Rivers State House of Assembly.
As a youth leader of the NPP, BK mobilized and galvanized the youths of Port Harcourt to embrace the doctrine of the party. By the next general elections in 1983, he had built a very strong followership which emboldened him to contest the party’s primary against the incumbent (Opara). He eventually won the primary after a rigorous inter-party election.
The general election was not easy either, yet he defeated the candidate of the then ruling party, NPN.
Although he was one of the politicians barred from politics by the military government, Amadi had some of his boys working for him. He groomed some young men and formed ‘Good Friends Association, a platform he used to ensure the emergence of Prof. Emenike Wami as the chairman and Mayor of Port Harcourt in 1988. He later became the Port Harcourt Chairman of National Republican Congress.
BK served as a political mentor to many people. The likes of Hon. Chinyere Igwe, the present Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning; Hon. Nnamdi Wuche, ex- Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Port Harcourt City Council; Hon. Ken Chikere, former Attorney General of the State; former member, House of Representatives, Barrister Temple Amadi and Hon. Christian Amadi where some of his students and disciples. Today, these politicians are great mobilisers and grassroots politicians.
During the Abacha era, BK was the pivot of UNCP in Rivers State. He later dumped the UNCP for the NCPN. He used this platform to produce a new set of young politicians as councilors in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
In the race to the Fourth Republic, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he and some political icons like the late Marshal Harry; Dr. Peter Odili called the shots.
He later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was one of the leaders of the party before he kicked the bucket in January, this year.
He had held several political positions and appointments including the membership of Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority, coordinator of PH NAPEP and member, Governing Council, University of Sokoto, amongst others.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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