Amaechi, Sowore clash at NBA Conference

A political session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, descended into a heated exchange after African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, challenged the records of politicians who had previously held public office.

Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who represented African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, sharply pushed back against the criticism.

He challenged Sowore to point to his own experience in governance.

The confrontation unfolded during discussions on Nigeria’s political future, fuel subsidy removal, transportation policy and the performance of former public officials ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Sowore argued that politicians who had previously occupied public offices should account for their records before asking Nigerians to entrust them with power again.

He specifically questioned Amaechi’s performance as Rivers governor and Minister of Transportation, while also taking aim at former Anambra governor Peter Obi.

Sowore said politicians who had governed and failed should not simply return to seek power without answering questions about their past performance.

“I love one thing that Amaechi said. He said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of us have been in government and we have failed. They have no business coming back. You guys should be apologising to the Nigerian people,” he said.

He also linked the record of previous governments to the continuing debate over fuel subsidy.

He argued that transportation infrastructure should have provided Nigerians with alternatives to the burden of high fuel costs.

Sowore criticised a rail project associated with Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers governor.

He said the infrastructure should be assessed by its practical impact on citizens.

He further accused Amaechi and his political allies of changing their position on fuel subsidy removal after years of opposing arguments.

“If there’s anyone who has been consistent about not removing our subsidies, it has been me. And it took Amaechi and his principal almost 10 years to catch up with me,” Sowore said.

But Amaechi rejected the assessment and insisted that his record should be judged against projects delivered during his years in government rather than political arguments.

He cited roads and primary schools constructed during his tenure as Rivers governor and pointed to railway projects executed while he was Minister of Transportation.

“Lagos-Ibadan railway, is it working or not? At my time, it was working. I don’t know what is happening under Tinubu. There is Abuja-Kaduna rail, working or not?” Amaechi said.

As the exchange intensified, Amaechi challenged Sowore to inspect projects executed during his administration in Rivers State, asking lawyers from the state to take the AAC candidate around the state.

“Where are Rivers lawyers? Please take Sowore around. Sowore, I said I built that road. I built this road. I built this primary school. I built that primary school. What is your experience?” he asked.

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

The 66th NBA Annual General Conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” is being held in Port Harcourt from August 21 to 28.

The gathering provided a major platform for discussions on issues extending beyond the legal profession.

The confrontation was part of a broader political discussion at the conference, which has brought prominent political actors and lawyers together in Port Harcourt to debate governance, leadership and Nigeria’s future.