|By Chinwendu Nwani
Legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has cautioned against what he described as renewed efforts to undermine democratic norms in Rivers State as the 2026 political cycle unfolds.
In a statement issued on Friday in Calabar, Ahiakwo said the re-emergence of political tension in the state signals the gradual collapse of godfatherism, intimidation and elite-driven propaganda that once shaped Rivers politics.
He faulted attempts to drag the state back into what he called “murky political waters” at a time when Rivers should be consolidating its democratic progress, arguing that such moves reflect desperation to preserve outdated power structures rather than respect the will of the electorate.
Ahiakwo described recent verbal attacks and political manoeuvres targeting the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as calculated efforts to obstruct the governor’s constitutional right to seek re-election.
According to him, Rivers State has entered a new political phase defined by a more enlightened and politically conscious electorate, stressing that citizens are no longer passive spectators but active participants who understand their rights and the strength of their votes.
He identified the controversy surrounding an alleged “gentleman agreement” as a major trigger of the current tension, describing it as an attack on the political evolution of the state and a threat to democratic growth.
The analyst said such agreements lack legal backing and are neither binding nor enforceable under Nigerian law, warning that placing informal arrangements above constitutional provisions is unlawful and incompatible with democratic practice.
Ahiakwo further argued that preventing a sitting governor from seeking a second term violates the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees every qualified Nigerian the right to participate in politics and contest elective offices.
He insisted that rejecting imposed political arrangements should not be misconstrued as rebellion, but rather as a rejection of political servitude and a clear message that no individual or group has a monopoly over power.
As the 2027 general elections draw closer, Ahiakwo said Rivers people are increasingly ready to assert their constitutional rights, stressing that democracy must prevail and the will of the people must remain supreme.
