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Dr. Dakuku Peterside, former Director-General of NIMASA and ex-Rivers APC gubernatorial candidate, once wrote, “Security, law, and order are the major preoccupations of any government. Once a government gets this right, it has taken the first correct step. Growing insecurity is the first sign of a failing state.”
This sentiment echoes Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who said the three main goals of governance are: security, opportunity, and hope.
In this context, we examine the persistent insecurity in Rivers State, Nigeria — especially under Governor Nyesom Wike — and reflect on the security legacy of his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The Security Situation Amaechi Inherited
When Amaechi assumed office on October 28, 2007, Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, was ranked among the world’s most dangerous cities. Cult violence, kidnapping, militancy, and armed robbery were rampant. Reports at the time described streets soaked in blood, frequent massacres, and a population living in constant fear.
Ahamefula Ogbu of ThisDay described how armed cultists roamed freely, while the late George Onah of Vanguard depicted Port Harcourt as a city under siege.
Amaechi’s Security Response
Amaechi’s administration launched a decisive crackdown on militancy.
Key strategies included:
✅ Refusing to pay off militants or politicians sponsoring violence.
✅ Massive investment in security infrastructure, including surveillance equipment, patrol teams, and armored helicopters.
✅ Training over 200 police officers in modern crime-fighting techniques, some overseas.
✅ Installing the first backscatter mobile scanning van and deploying surveillance cameras across the city.
As Dakuku Peterside put it, “Amaechi believed security was the foundation upon which progress depended.”
By December 2012, Rivers reported zero kidnappings or major armed robberies, earning recognition for stability and growth.
The Wike Years and a Return to Violence
Under Governor Wike, many argue that Rivers State has relapsed into a “Rivers of Blood.”
Reports suggest Wike:
- Created and funded the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), allegedly used to recruit political foot soldiers.
- Reached out to former warlords and ex-militants, with accusations of empowering them for political ends.
- Oversaw a climate where, by the 2015 and 2016 elections, dozens of political opponents were killed, local party offices bombed, and entire communities terrorized.
Kennedy Friday, a local commentator, described gruesome scenes of mass killings and beheadings in Ahoada East. Senator Magnus Abe lamented rampant killings across communities, while journalist Jimitota Onoyume reported the brutal murder of police officers and civilians.
Economic Consequences
Amaechi pointed out that under his tenure, Rivers State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) stood at N8 billion monthly. Under Wike, it reportedly fell to N4 billion, as investors fled due to insecurity. Amaechi argued, “The first responsibility of government is security. Without it, there is nothing to celebrate.”
Political Intrigue and Fallout
Wike’s ambition to become governor, which began during his time as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, allegedly led to deep political divisions. Even while serving as Minister of State for Education, Wike was reported to have funded ex-militant groups, notably donating six months’ salary to the Tompolo Foundation, fueling fears of renewed violence.
Critics like Uche Igwe described Wike as a “vindictive, thug-minded politician,” while Sam Nda-Isaiah of Leadership Newspaper criticized President Jonathan’s support for what he called Wike’s gangsterism.
A Tale of Two Rivers States
Amaechi’s era saw Rivers hosting major national and international events, from sports festivals to investment forums, showcasing a peaceful, thriving state.
By contrast, under Wike, Rivers has been described as a state where “life has lost meaning,” marked by political killings, community clashes, and widespread fear.
Final Reflection
While Wike has been named “Apostle of Peace” by some groups and received awards like The Sun Newspaper’s “Governor of the Year,” media figures like Lady Oby Ndukwe argue these titles are ironic, given the controversies and violence of his administration.
As Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the author and media consultant behind this reflection, concludes:
“It’s left for the public to judge whose tenure — Amaechi’s or Wike’s — truly served Rivers State, and whose era was, indeed, a waste.”
Writer: Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
Media Consultant, Port Harcourt
Email: ezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com
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