A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has condemned recent remarks by former Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, against former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Nwanosike had reportedly warned Amaechi that the political battle ahead of the 2027 elections would be taken to his “bedroom.”
Reacting in a statement made available to journalists, Eze described the comment as reckless, uncivilised and indicative of political desperation, urging Nwanosike and his associates to take their campaign to the electorate rather than resort to threats and personal attacks.
According to him, “politics is a contest of ideas, competence, records and the confidence of the people; it should never be reduced to threats, intimidation or references to a man’s bedroom.”
Eze said Nwanosike, as a former local government chairman, should understand the responsibility attached to political leadership and avoid statements capable of escalating political tension in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
He challenged Nwanosike to publicly present evidence of Amaechi’s alleged failures rather than resort to what he described as personal attacks.
“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.
The ADC chieftain further questioned what he described as the persistent focus on Amaechi by Nwanosike and his political associates.
“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 argued that the appropriate response to Amaechi ahead of 2027 should be the presentation of superior candidates, policies and performance, rather than threats or intimidation.
Eze also urged President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to take interest in Nwanosike’s statement and investigate its implications, particularly amid concerns over political violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said Rivers State belonged to all its citizens and should not be reduced to a battleground for political godfathers or rival factions.
“The 2027 election will ultimately be decided by the people. Political power is transient, and no amount of political bravado can substitute for the verdict of the electorate,” he stated.
Eze urged political actors in the state to conduct their activities with restraint, maturity and respect for democratic institutions, stressing that political differences should be settled through debate and the ballot box.
He maintained that Rivers people deserved leaders capable of presenting credible solutions to the challenges confronting the state, rather than politicians who allegedly thrive on threats and personal vendettas.
