Opinion
Determinism: A Misunderstood Idea
The doctrine of determinism states that events and human actions are the necessary results of, or determined by, antecedent causes. By “antecedent causes” is meant “earlier or previous events or actions of similar nature”. We often speak about cause and effect, reciprocal actions and of there being no smoke without fire, all of which point to a definite law which has to do with regulation of human actions.
Human actions should be understood to include speech, volition or thoughts, in addition to visible actions of all kinds. Having been endowed with a free will as a right or freedom which goes with personal responsibility, human beings can use it according to individual volition. For purposes of enhancement of consciousness, learning and maturing, every individual is meant to experience life in every ramifications. We learn best through experiences.
The cliché that one thing leads to another means that there is a systematic movement in the scheme of things. What we call the beginning of an event or action is usually not an absolute starting point, but a phase in an inter-locking movement, similar to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. For example, a child’s existence cannot be said to begin the day the child was born, for there must have been antecedent causes prior to the birth. Hardly is there any accident, in reality.
As people grow and mature through series of experiences, coupled with the use of the free will, there are bound to be errors and wrong actions here and there. Antecedent causes of such wrong actions can arise from ignorance, negligence and abuse of the free will. Such errors and abuses constitute burdens of guilt or imbalances, which must be restored and balanced during some period of grace.
An action, inaction or reaction of an individual is usually not the beginning of the chain of antecedents but should be interpreted in the context of cause and effect. Series of actions, giving rise to series of effects, constitute a chain or continuum, whereby what appears to be a new action or effect, is in reality a matter arising from an old, distant issue. So many facts interact in the events of life or affairs of men.
Unfortunately, no individual can see the chain of antecedent causes because they lie beyond normal memory or perception. But there are watchers and weavers overseeing the affairs of humans, and individuals through their thoughts, words and deeds provide the materials for what is woven for them in the loom of life. No one can cheat in reality!
The doctrine of determinism has to do with the concept of Providence, which means that the Will of the creator, operating in the form of Natural Laws, rules the World. No one is in a position to annull or modify them, however mighty or clever such person or authority. Thus, the well-being of all creatures is conditioned and determined by these laws, one of which is referred to as Reciprocal Actions.
An exact knowledge of these laws is the most urgent need of every human being, because, human well-being depends on such knowledge. Man must not only adapt his thinking, volition and deeds to these laws, but his well-being depends on them, to which he must submit unconditionally.
Unfortunately, majority of humans know little or nothing about the working of the Natural Laws. It is not quite a calamity for humans to err through ignorance, negligence or even deliberately, but what is important is the ability to learn through the effects of these laws. The purpose of penalty for errors is to force human beings to learn and change voluntarily. Through such penalty and the attendant pains, we can recognize evil and learn to embrace what is right and up-building.
Through proper recognition, observance and fulfillment of what the laws demand of us, we would be in a better position to release ourselves from the burdens of antecedent causes. There is more to life than the material successes and goals which the majority of humans scramble, hustle and die for. Rather than reduce the load of antecedent causes pending against us as humans, we add more burdens!
Fatalism, which is another version of determinism, suggests that “what will be, will be” and that there is nothing anyone can do to prevent events from happening. Simply interpreted, it means that the will of the creator, operating as Natural Laws, cannot be annulled or evaded, as they are inexorable. Everyone gets the result of what is woven or ripens for him or her in the looms and weavings of the laws. No one can do anything about this fact, except to know, respect and obey the Natural Laws.
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
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Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
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
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