Opinion
Revisiting The Normal Guinean Crisis
Military rule is an aberration in the body polity of any nation. Their primary function amongst others is the defence of the territorial sovereignty of a nation against any external covert or overt aggression.
But with the reality and wind of democratistion that swept through Africa nations in the past few years, military interregnum not only became unattractive but condemnable on the account of their lack of transparency accountability, total disdain for human rights and intolerance of divergent views.
Africans have heaved a huge sigh of relief from military rule and happily embraced the principles of democratic governance. But the news from Conakry has become a sad commentary and sordid embarrassment to all peace loving people of Guinea and indeed the universe.
A military junta led by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara had on 23rd December 2008 seised power through a bloodless coup after the death of President Lansana Conte.
The junta had promised immediate political transfer to civilian governance come December 2009. However, the opposition political parties and civil society groups have doubted such promise greatly considered to be hallowed. They could not be trusted to deliver on their political promises as recent events in Guinea clearly point to.
The junta leadership has become more desperate to consolidate their political powers and this indication started emerging with obvious repudiation to renege on the promise of neutrality and non-participation in the political process.
Captain Camara had promised not to contest the presidency come January 31. But with simmering political situation in Guinea, he may go against his promise of non-participation to contest the presidency. As it is fashionable with successful military coup leaders, peaceful political transfer of power to civilian governance are hardly contemplated without domestic and foreign pressures exact on such military leader.
Today in Guinea it is obvious that Captain Camara has been taken hostage by the forces of political retrogression whose desires were nothing than the protection of their political and economic interests, thereby wanting the military officer to contest the presidency. The ultimate interest of the Guineans and the country is economy that had stagnated over the years through trade union protests are usually not considered in such political struggle for powers.
The recent senseless killing of over 50 peaceful demonstrators in the capital city’s stadium had actually shown the penchant for the violation of human rights by the junta’s leadership. The government saw the demonstration as insurrection which pitted government troops against innocent civilians leading to the unprovoked attack and killing.
However, the political imbroglio and impasse not only in Guinea but also in Niger should challenge (ECOWAS) Economic Community of West Africa States leaders to be resolute in their resolutions on protocol for good governance for effective implementation to serve as a deterrent that the sub-regional body meant well for the people of the sub-region.
Happily enough, the arms embargo imposed by ECOWAS and European Union sanction on the Guinea’s junta is a welcome development. Nevertheless, much weeds to be done through the efforts of various international, regional and sub-regional institutions to impose more strict trading embargo on the junta and seek meaningful ways to streghten the democratic processes in Guines. China mudt join the efforts of the international councilling and protect the political interest of the generality of the Guineans, rather than beneficial economic interst as the new empire for the seramble of Africa longed concluded in the 19th century.
President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Fasso as the ECOWAS special chief mediator in the Guinea’s crisis should ensure that the junta’s political and Electoral transitional processes are transparent and inclusive with the various political parties having confidence in the Electoral System.
The pedigree of the president compare is not in doubt having ben appointed once by the sub-regional badly leadership to mediate in the crisis in Togo, Niger Republic, Cote D’Ivore and Guinea-Bissair. He exhibited much mastery strategies that ultimately restored peace in these troubled countries.
However, to sustain the momentum Guinea’s political and military leaders must consider their perceived selfish interests.
The killers of the demonstrators must be brought to book in the overall interest of Justice, perharps they should be tried in accordance with the principles of the country rule of law or African coalition for ICC should consider the necessity of dragging Guinea’s junta leaders for obvious Genocide against peaceful and innocent demonstrators before the ICC.
ECOWAS leaders must not fail the sub-region. Times for rhetorics are gone. It is time for concrete and meaningful editions within the context of ECOWAS protocol on good governance.
Philip-Wuwu Okparaji
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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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