Opinion
On America’s 234 Years Of Liberty
As the United States of America Celebrates her 234 years of Independence to-day 4th July 2010, it is pertinent to briefly recall their long journey to liberty and becoming the greatest nation in the world.
The day Americans gained their freedom from the Kingdom of Great Britain is greatly cherished by all the people of United States of America. They recognise fourth of July 1776, the very date that they adopted the Declaration of Independence, as their liberty day.
Since then, the 4th of July is usually celebrated each year. The day is observed as public holiday, commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, political speeches, ceremonies and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government and tradition of the United States.
Americans did not gain that Independence on a platter of goal. The protracted struggle between England and Frances from 1690 to 1763 culminated in Frances surrender of all her North American possessions. Spain also ceded most of her American territory. Little England was left with half a continent under its dominion.
The French war was costly and England proposed largely to recoup some of its losses from American colonies. It ordered America to buy goods from Great Britain only. Besides America was to be taxed by England arbitrarily.
For many years Americans was under the yoke of colonial rule and they bore the brunt of England’s King George’s III misrude.
As public discontent grew, British troops were sent to quell any signs of rebellion. The King was not willing to address their grievances and the Americans could not tolerate it any longer. When tax was levied on tea, the colonists revolted and the chests containing the tea were thrown into Boston Harbour, then began the American War of Independence.
The colonists organised an army and at its head was George Washington. This great force rescued America from the .British rule.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution on June 7, 1776 and called for the Continental Congress to declare the United State free from British rule. Four days later, the colonies second Continental Congress in Philadelphia formed a committee to draft a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain.
A fire-man committee which included John Adams and Thomas Jeffers were chosen to write a suitable “Declaration of Independence” from the British crown. The final production of the great Declaration is however, usually credited to Thomas Jeffers; who later became the third President of USA after John Adams who took over from George Washington as the second president of the United State (1797-1801).
On July 4, 1776, Americas first national parliament adopted its declaration of independence. In 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by 2 adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. When the First American Electoral College met in New York City on February 4, 1789, Washington was unanimously elected the first President of American, at the end of his tenure, he bowed to demands that he accept four more years as President. Thomas Jefferson who served as his First Secretary of State told him: “The North And South Will Hang Together If they Have you to Han On.”
And he was again elected unanimously on February 13, 1793. He served nearly eight years as President and died December 14, 1799 at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
The battlefield miracles accomplished by’ George Washington made him, an idol among his contemporaries. People both then and now refused to accept the truth that Washington was mortal. He achieved the great success by a combination of luck, ingenuity, and resolution. Fifteen years after his death Thomas Jefferson described Washington:-
“Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed, refraining when he saw a doubt, but when once decided going through with his purpose whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good and a great man … and it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same constellation with whatever worthies have merited from man an everlasting remembrance” (American Presidents by David C. Whitney).
And another Washington former officer, Henry Lee, gave the eulogy that contained the famous description of the man George Washington: “First in War, First in peace and First in the Hearts of His country men He was second to None.”
A few years the nation faced another nightmare – slavery war. The Southern States, unable to maintain slavery if they remained in the Union, decided to withdraw from it and to govern themselves.
The North wanted slavery abolished and the Union not to dissolve – the two sides engaged in a bitter struggle. The war ended in complete overthrow of the slave owning south. The population of the country as at a census conducted in 1790 was nearly 4,000,000 persons (including close to 700,000 slaves). Now the population of USA is about 300,000,000 million.
The founding fathers worked out a system of checks and balances, a doctrine of separation of powers and a principle of separating church from state. It was a whole constitutional apparatus of federal division of authority between local and the national levels.
Their efforts have resulted in the development of the most powerful nation in the world. America’s power has spread the length and breath of the planet· earth.
Although America is very popular with many countries, some accuse it of bullying small states and its rivals. But, as it must be to all nations when taking decisions, the strategic national interests of America, override all other considerations. Sometimes this puts America in conflict with other nations and the conflicts escalate into war.
Nevertheless, America has provided economic aid to many countries and improved the quality of life of millions.
Ichoko wrote from Port Harcourt.
Anthony Ichoko
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
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.
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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