A political session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, turned heated after African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore questioned the records of former public officials.
Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, who represented African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar, pushed back and challenged Sowore to show his own experience in governance.
The clash came during discussions on Nigeria’s political future, fuel subsidy removal, transportation and the records of former public officials ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sowore questioned Amaechi’s performance as governor and minister, while also criticising former Anambra governor Peter Obi. He argued that politicians who had governed and failed should answer questions about their past before seeking power again.
“I love one thing that Amaechi said. He said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of us have been in government and we have failed. They have no business coming back. You guys should be apologising to the Nigerian people,” Sowore said.
He also criticised Amaechi over a rail project and linked past government policies to the fuel subsidy debate.
“If there’s anyone who has been consistent about not removing our subsidies, it has been me. And it took Amaechi and his principal almost 10 years to catch up with me,” Sowore said.
Amaechi defended his record, citing roads and primary schools built in Rivers and railway projects completed during his time as minister.
“Lagos-Ibadan railway, is it working or not? At my time, it was working. I don’t know what is happening under Tinubu. There is Abuja-Kaduna rail, working or not?” Amaechi said.
He then challenged Sowore to inspect his projects in Rivers.
“Where are Rivers lawyers? Please take Sowore around. Sowore, I said I built that road. I built this road. I built this primary school. I built that primary school. What is your experience?” he asked.
“When politicians are talking, Sowore, close your mouth,” Amaechi added.
The NBA conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” is taking place in Port Harcourt from August 21 to 28, bringing politicians and lawyers together to discuss governance, leadership and Nigeria’s future.
