Amaechi, Sowore clash at NBA conference over records in public office

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Chibuike Amaechi, and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, engaged in a heated exchange during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The confrontation followed Sowore’s criticism of Nigeria’s political elite, whom he accused of contributing to the country’s economic difficulties despite having previously occupied key public offices.

Sowore, while addressing participants at the conference, urged Nigerians to reject politicians who, according to him, repeatedly return to the electorate with promises despite their previous records in government.

“Please, please, don’t let these politicians lie to you,” Sowore told the audience.

He specifically referred to Amaechi and other political figures who had previously served in government, arguing that Nigerians should scrutinise their records before giving them another opportunity to govern.

Sowore recalled an alleged statement by Amaechi that only himself and the late MKO Abiola had not failed in government among Nigeria’s political class.

“I loved one thing that Amaechi said. He said, apart from Sowore and Abiola, the rest of us that have been in government have failed. They have no business coming back,” he said.

The AAC presidential candidate subsequently turned his criticism to Amaechi’s record as governor of Rivers State and later as Minister of Transportation.

Sowore questioned the effectiveness of major transportation projects executed during Amaechi’s tenure as minister, particularly the railway projects.

“When it comes to subsidy, transportation policy is important. We have a former governor of Rivers State here, Amaechi, who built a rail line that went nowhere,” Sowore said.

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He argued that the railway infrastructure should have translated into greater benefits for Nigerians, particularly in reducing transportation costs and addressing the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Sowore also criticised Amaechi’s administration in Rivers State, alleging that the government failed to adequately support education and healthcare workers.

“You did not subsidise education in your state. Lecturers and doctors went on strike for 13 months! You may like him as a person, but he did not perform as a governor. That is the truth,” he said.

Amaechi, however, rejected the criticism and mounted a defence of his record in government.

The former governor challenged Sowore to examine the projects implemented during his tenure, while also defending his achievements as transportation minister.

Responding to Sowore’s criticism of the railway projects, Amaechi cited the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail lines as examples of infrastructure projects completed during his tenure.

“Who are those from Lagos? Is the Lagos-Ibadan railway working or not? In my time, it was working. I don’t know what is happening under Tinubu. There is Abuja-Kaduna rail, working or not?” Amaechi asked.

As Sowore attempted to respond by returning to Amaechi’s record as Rivers State governor, the former governor interrupted him and called on Rivers lawyers attending the conference to take Sowore around the state to inspect projects he claimed were executed under his administration.

“Where are the Rivers lawyers? Please take Sowore around. Where are the Rivers lawyers who are present? Take Sowore around,” Amaechi said.

He proceeded to highlight roads and schools which he said were constructed by his administration.

“I said I built that road. I built this road. I built this primary school. I built that primary school,” Amaechi declared.

He then directly challenged Sowore to account for his own experience in governance.

“Sowore, what is your experience?” Amaechi asked.

The exchange ended with Amaechi warning against what he perceived as unwarranted criticism from politicians without governing experience.

“When politicians are talking, close your mouth,” he added.

The confrontation underscored the sharp political differences between the two opposition figures as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

While Sowore has consistently positioned himself as an outsider challenging Nigeria’s established political order, Amaechi, a former governor and minister, is seeking relevance under the ADC platform as the opposition coalition takes shape ahead of the 2027 elections.