Politics
Musings On The Nigerian Polity
The new consciousness
the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari wants Nigerians to imbibe with the launching of the “Change Begins With Me” initiative is to reinforce the notion that the task of building the country is a collective responsibility rather than that of the leadership alone. The message is unmistakable that all and sundry in Nigeria, including corporate bodies, groups, associations and individuals have their roles to play and their contributions to make towards achieving our collective national aspirations and dreams.
These roles and contributions require everyone to be responsible citizens, not only in conduct but also in being alive to developments in the polity and expressing relevant opinions and proffering solutions on issues when necessary. This, indeed, is the hallmark of responsible and responsive citizenship.
“having observed the challenges we are going through as a nation, we are moved by conscience to address some of these issues.” These were part of the opening words of a body of Christian professionals and opinion leaders under the name Club 401 who addressed the media at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre in Port Harcourt recently.
Led by their chairman, Elder Lawrence F. Jumbo, the socio-religious group bared their mind on contemporary and burning issues in the country such as peace and security, economic wellbeing of the people, inter-governmental relations, pollution and environmental issues in the South-South, perceived inequities, the federation question and the level of involvement of the State in religious affairs.
In making their observations and expressing their convictions on these issues and others, they were mindful to underline with emphasis their belief in one united and indivisible Nigeria and the need for necessary sacrifice from everyone to sustain it.
“Welfare and security of the people is the primary purpose of government,” they noted, arguing that they expect those given the opportunity to deliver on this mandate or be humble enough to throw in the towel when they fail instead of giving the excuse of dwindling resources to deny the people their legitimate earnings while clinging on to power. They described the failure of many State and local governments in the country to be up to date in the payment of salaries to civil servants as a “manifestation of executive recklessness and insincerity” since government functionaries live insulated from the poverty and misery of the working people.
On the issue of peace within the borders of the country, the group challenged the federal government especially to enthrone justice and equity in dealing with all sections of the nation so as to forestall dissentions and violent agitations.
“Government owes all citizens equal obligation to protection,” they posited, adding that they found it inequitable for the authorities to leave farmers without protection while allowing armed herdsmen a free rein to unleash terror on helpless villages and their livelihood.
“Worse still, in a situation where about 80% of command positions are concentrated in the hands of one ethno-religious group, it becomes near impossible for persons from other groups to have a sense of fairness and security,” they said.
While expressing regret about some acts of impunity perpetrated by some law enforcement agents, the Club 401 also decried the involvement of government in some religious activities.
“Making available scarce foreign exchange in these lean times for religious pilgrimage at below the inter-bank rate while critical sectors of the economy such as power, aviation and manufacturing are being starved takes things to a new height,” they noted, adding that they see it as a misplacement of priority that seems not to be sufficiently sensitive to the economic downturn and the folding up of businesses.
As well, the group is disturbed that government had not dealt with the ugly manifestations of religious intolerance in the country in the way it should. They referred to a bill before the National Assembly that seeks to extend the jurisdiction of Sharia Courts to criminal cases and expressed the fear that contrary to a pronouncement by the Sultan of Sokoto that no one can Islamize Nigeria, the federal authorities were not doing enough to prove otherwise.
“Christians are being intimidated or killed for standing for their faith on a regular basis either by herdsmen, students or community mob,” they averred and observed that “the current psyche of some Nigerian Muslims is as if Nigeria has already been Islamized and our leaders are not discouraging same.” They called on the government to rise up to their responsibility of dispensing justice squarely and evenly for and against every Nigerian irrespective of their religious persuasion.
On the question of our federalism, the Christian professionals insisted that our present federal system as practised encourages productive laziness and will not motivate governors and their stats to be resourceful and responsible in revenue generation and management. Their verdict: “there is need for fiscal federalism: let us restructure to liberate our productive potential.”
Not least or last of all, the group also addressed the issue of equity with regard to giving back to the oil bearing communities and asked that due attention be given to the Petroleum Industry Bill (P.I.B) currently before the federal legislative house. They acknowledged the initiative to clean-up Ogoni land and asked that the same be extended to all other polluted sites in the Niger Delta region.
Exchanging views with The Tide in Port Harcourt on the state of the nation, a onetime deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Iyk Oji, identified the absence of leaders with national outlook and interest as the major problem confronting our country.
He recognised the fact that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and religious country that requires leadership to harmonize and unify it.
Regrettably, he said men and women with the requisite attitude and orientation have continued to elude the nation at the helm of its affairs for as long as it has existed.
“We have ethnic leaders,” he said, pointing out that the grumblings with regard to perceived lopsidedness in federal appointments were fueled by mutual ethnic and religious distrust.
He said that what Nigeria needs are leaders that have an overriding national identity and appealed to our leaders to be broadminded in order not only to untie the nation but to lead it to realise its full potentials.
Irrespective of our differences, Nigeria must not disintegrate, he emphasized, but quickly added that our leaders must make conscious and sincere effort to move away from ethnic, religious and sectional bigotry.
Opaka Dokubo
A member of the publicity subcommittee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Rivers State, Mr Princewill Dike, has called on Rivers people and residents to turn out en masse for the November 7, 2026 rally in support of President Bola Tinubu, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects and appointments of Rivers indigenes into strategic political offices.
Mr Dike made the call while speaking with newsmen ahead of tomorrow’s event scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
He said the rally would provide an opportunity for political stakeholders and residents of the State to reflect on the Federal Government’s development initiatives, infrastructure investments and recognition of Rivers sons and daughters under President Tinubu’s administration.
The publicity subcommittee member noted that the appointment of Ambassador Desmond Akawor as Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) was among the significant federal appointments benefiting the State.
He also cited the appointment of Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as Chief Tony Okocha as Rivers State representative on the Commission’s Governing Board.
According to him, other Rivers political stakeholders appointed into federal institutions include Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, and Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.
Mr Dike further noted that the reported disclosure by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, that Rivers State had secured no fewer than 49 federal appointments under the Tinubu administration, reflected the level of federal representation enjoyed by the state.
On infrastructure, he described the 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road, which was temporarily opened to public use in December 2025, as a major intervention capable of transforming transportation and economic activities in the State.
He said the road had provided a direct land connection between Bonny Island and the mainland, reducing the historic dependence of residents on water transportation and helicopter services.
The campaign publicity official also highlighted the Federal Government’s intervention on the East-West Road, particularly the Eleme Junction-Port Harcourt-Ahoada and Eleme Junction-Onne Port sections, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which he said would improve connectivity and economic opportunities across the Niger Delta.
Mr Dike further identified the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni local government areas, alongside the Bonny Ring Road and Bridges project being undertaken by the NDDC in partnership with NLNG, as important regional infrastructure initiatives.
He maintained that the projects and federal appointments had placed Rivers State in a strategic position within the national development agenda, urging residents to assess the benefits and support continued investment in the State.
The Ikwerre born politician and public affairs analyst called on party faithful, political leaders, youths, women and other residents to participate actively in the November 7 gathering, expressing optimism that the rally would further strengthen support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
King Onunwor
The Chairman of the Evo Council of Government Recognised Traditional Rulers and Eze Oha III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has declared that the council remains apolitical, irrespective of perceptions in some quarters about the political disposition of its members.
King Eke made the clarification during the council’s monthly general meeting, convened at the instance of Eze Temple Ejekwu , Nye Nwe Eli Rumuogba, at Rumuogba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The revered monarch explained that the decision was informed by the need for traditional rulers to preserve their revered positions as fathers of their respective communities, stressing that partisan political affiliations should not undermine their traditional responsibilities.
He maintained that political neutrality among members of the council was non-negotiable, noting that monarchs must remain above partisan divisions to provide balanced leadership, promote unity and sustain peaceful coexistence among their subjects.
He said the council was determined to entrench this principle of neutrality in its engagements, adding that traditional rulers must be seen as unifying forces rather than actors in the political divisions that often characterise electoral contests.
To strengthen the arrangement, the Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom disclosed that Eze Temple Ejekwu had been assigned the responsibility of coordinating political activities involving the monarchs, a development he said would ensure balance, proper organisation and respect for the council’s collective position.
The monarch, however, clarified that the council’s apolitical disposition should not be misconstrued as a withdrawal of support for qualified sons and daughters of Evo Kingdom who aspire to occupy elective positions at both the State and National levels.
He stressed that the traditional institution would continue to identify with the legitimate political aspirations of its people, irrespective of political platforms, provided such aspirations were pursued peacefully and in the overall interest of the kingdom.
Specifically, the monarch assured the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Leslie Ejekwu, who already has his blessings, of the support of Woji, his immediate community, as well as the 33 Evo communities under his traditional leadership.
”Leslie Ejekwu, Esq., will do well given his experience at the Local Government Council as the Legal Adviser and other sundry areas within the political arena”, he said.
He noted that the assurance was consistent with the council’s commitment to the progress and political advancement of Evo sons and daughters, adding that the traditional institution would continue to encourage its people to participate actively in democratic processes without compromising its neutrality.
The Evo monarch also used the occasion to caution politicians and their supporters against violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections, describing the resort to intimidation, destruction and political hostility as an outdated approach to democratic competition.
According to him, the era when political victories were pursued through violence should give way to issue-based campaigns, intellectual capacity, constructive engagements and demonstrable leadership skills, stressing that ideas and competence should take centre stage in the nation’s political development.
King Onunwor
The newly appointed British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Pete Vowels, has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and supporting credible electoral processes in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Vowels gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, where he met with the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and other National Commissioners.
The British envoy said the visit was aimed at understanding INEC’s operations and preparations for the forthcoming elections, noting that Nigeria’s democracy remains significant not only to its citizens but also to the West African sub-region and the international community.
He described the 2027 general elections as an important opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate how democracy can thrive in a large and diverse country.
The High Commissioner also emphasised the global importance of Nigeria’s democratic stability, expressing interest in understanding the electoral processes and institutional preparations ahead of the polls.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, welcomed the British delegation and described the visit as a reflection of the longstanding partnership and shared commitment to democratic integrity between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Professor Amupitan said the Commission’s major priority, since he assumed office in October 2025, has been to rebuild public confidence in the electoral system, improve operational efficiency and safeguard the integrity of every vote.
He explained that INEC had conducted several off-cycle governorship elections and legislative by-elections in different States, describing the exercises as important opportunities to test and improve the Commission’s electoral preparations.
According to him, the Commission is focused on ensuring timely logistics, peaceful elections, effective management and transparent processes, stressing that these elements are critical to public acceptance of election results.
The INEC Chairman maintained that the Commission remained committed to ensuring that every election conducted is better than the previous one.
He expressed optimism that sustained institutional reforms, improved operational capacity and stronger partnerships with relevant stakeholders would contribute to credible and peaceful elections in 2027.
The visit underscores the continued diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in promoting democratic governance, electoral integrity and institutional development.
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