PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has condemned remarks by former Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Samuel Nwanosike, directed at former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Nwanosike, a prominent ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, was recently reported to have said that the political battle ahead would be taken to Amaechi’s “bedroom” rather than the streets. He also warned Amaechi and his political allies against returning to Rivers State until the Supreme Court determines which faction of the ADC should be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting in a statement made available to journalists, Eze described the remarks as reckless and unbecoming of a former local government chairman, arguing that political contests should be based on ideas, records and the confidence of voters.
Eze said the language used by Nwanosike was capable of heightening political tension, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify in Rivers State.
He urged politicians across the divide to take their disagreements to the public arena, where competing records and policy positions could be examined by voters instead of resorting to personal attacks or language suggestive of confrontation.
Eze also challenged Nwanosike’s assessment of Amaechi’s political record in Ikwerre and Rivers State, saying the former governor’s performance should be judged against specific projects, policies and measurable outcomes.
According to him, Amaechi’s tenure as governor was marked by investments in areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure and human capital development, and such records should form part of any serious political debate about his legacy.
He therefore urged Nwanosike and other critics of the former governor to present evidence of what they believe Amaechi failed to deliver and equally make public the achievements of the political camp they support.
Eze questioned the continued focus on Amaechi by his political opponents if, as they claim, the former governor no longer enjoys political relevance in Rivers State.
“If Nwanosike believes Amaechi has no political relevance, why the obsession with him? Why the threats? Why the repeated references to his person?” Eze asked.
He said the appropriate response to Amaechi’s political activities ahead of 2027 should be the presentation of stronger candidates, better ideas and superior records of performance rather than threats or personal attacks.
The ADC chieftain also expressed concern about what he described as potentially inflammatory political statements, urging security authorities to pay attention to public utterances capable of escalating tensions during the election season.
Eze specifically called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to examine Nwanosike’s remarks and establish whether they amounted to a threat requiring further action.
Disu is the current Inspector-General of Police, following his appointment by President Tinubu after the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun in February 2026. The Nigeria Police Council subsequently ratified his appointment.
Eze, however, said his intervention was not intended to escalate the disagreement, but to draw attention to the need for political actors to exercise restraint in their public statements.
He maintained that Rivers State belonged to all its citizens and should not be treated as the preserve of any individual, political godfather or faction.
According to him, the 2027 election would ultimately be determined by the electorate, who should be allowed to make their choices based on candidates’ records, policies and credibility.
He challenged Nwanosike to take his campaign against Amaechi to the public square and allow Rivers voters to determine which side had served them better.
“If you have a case against Amaechi, bring it to the people. If you believe he failed Ikwerre, provide the evidence. If you believe your political camp has performed better, present the records,” he said.
Eze urged political actors in Rivers State to approach the 2027 contest with civility and respect for democratic institutions, stressing that political power was temporary and that the ultimate mandate belonged to the people.
