Sowore, Amaechi trade words at NBA conference

By Enitan Abdultawab

Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, who represented former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, clashed on Monday during a political session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” brought together legal practitioners and political figures, with the political session focusing on Nigeria’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections. At the event, there were discussions on the records of Nigerian politicians who have previously held public office and the impact of government policies, particularly fuel subsidy and transportation.

Amaechi, responding to the arguments at the session, said Nigerians should not be deceived by politicians who had previously governed and failed to deliver.

“I like what Amaechi said. He said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of them have governed before and have failed. You guys should be apologising to the Nigerian people,” he said.

Amaechi also argued that transportation policy should form part of the conversation around fuel subsidy, citing the railway project built by a former Rivers State governor.

“We have a former governor of Rivers State who built a rail line that led to nowhere. If that rail line was well working, subsidy would have been working for Rivers State,” he said.

He further criticised former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, saying he failed to adequately subsidise education during his tenure.

“Peter Obi, for example, did not subsidise education in his state. Lecturers and doctors went on strike for 13 months. You can like him as a person, but he did not perform as a governor,” Amaechi said.

The former governor also defended his record as Minister of Transportation, saying the Lagos-Ajaokuta railway was operational during his tenure.

“In my time, Lagos-Ajaokuta railway was working. I do not know why it is not working under Tinubu. Same thing for Abuja-Kaduna rail,” he said.

Amaechi subsequently directed his remarks at Sowore, urging lawyers from Rivers State to take the presidential candidate around the state.

“Please, I need Rivers lawyers to take Sowore around. What is your experience?” he asked.

He then told Sowore to remain silent while politicians with governing experience were speaking.

“When politicians are talking, Sowore, close your mouth,” Amaechi said.

The political session featured presidential candidates and representatives, including Sowore (presidential candidate of African Action Congress AAC), Peter Obi (presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party and Amaechi, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress.

Also available at the conference was presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).