Sowore, Amaechi Clash At NBA Conference

A political discussion at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, took an unexpected turn on Thursday as African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, exchanged words over their records in public office.

The heated exchange happened during a session focused on Nigeria’s political future, with the two politicians disagreeing over governance, fuel subsidy removal, transportation and the performance of former public office holders.

Amaechi, who served as Rivers governor and later Minister of Transportation, represented the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the session.

Sowore challenged politicians who had previously held public offices to account for their records before seeking the votes of Nigerians again in 2027.

Sowore argued that Nigerians should demand explanations from politicians who had occupied important government positions before allowing them to return to power.

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

According to Sowore, politicians who had failed to deliver while in office should not simply return during another election cycle without answering questions about their previous records.

“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.

The AAC candidate also linked the records of past administrations to the ongoing debate over fuel subsidy removal.

He argued that better transportation infrastructure would have provided Nigerians with alternatives and reduced the hardship caused by rising fuel prices.

Sowore also questioned some of the railway projects associated with Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation, saying the real test of government projects should be their impact on ordinary Nigerians.

He further accused Amaechi and his political allies of changing their position on fuel subsidy removal after years of taking a different stance.

“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.

Close Your Mouth When Politicians Are Talking – Amaechi To Sowore

Amaechi, however, rejected Sowore’s assessment and challenged him to compare their experiences in public office.

The former governor insisted that his performance should be judged by the projects delivered during his time in government rather than political arguments.

He pointed to roads and primary schools constructed during his tenure in Rivers State and cited 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 asked.

As the exchange became more intense, Amaechi challenged Sowore to visit Rivers State and inspect projects he claimed were executed under his administration.

“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.

Amaechi then told the AAC candidate, “When politicians are talking, Sowore, close your mouth.”

The exchange formed part of a wider political discussion at the NBA conference, which has attracted lawyers and prominent political figures from across the country.

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

The conference has provided a platform for discussions not only on legal issues but also on governance, leadership, economic policies and the future of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.