Fiery Political Clash: Amaechi Blasts Sowore Over Fuel Subsidy at NBA Conference

The 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, became a focal point for intense political debate during a session themed “Beyond Limits,” which also delved into state affairs and economic policy. The conference brought together presidential candidates and representatives from various political parties, including Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Rotimi Amaechi, who participated as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate and also represented former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The discussions primarily centered on Nigeria’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections, scrutinizing the records of past public office holders, government policies, and their profound impact on Nigerian citizens, particularly the contentious removal of fuel subsidy and challenges within the transportation sector.

A significant portion of the session was dominated by a fiery exchange between Omoyele Sowore and Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, initiated the confrontation by questioning Sowore’s experience in governance, pointedly asking, “Please, I need Rivers lawyers to take Sowore around. What is your experience?” He subsequently admonished Sowore to remain silent when more experienced politicians were speaking, asserting, “When politicians are talking, Sowore, close your mouth.”

Unfazed, Sowore launched a direct attack on mainstream politicians, accusing successive administrations, including those of his opponents, of exploiting ordinary Nigerians under the guise of subsidy removal. He asserted his consistent opposition to fuel subsidy removal over many years, stating, "You’re the only one who has been consistent about non-removal of fuel subsidy. It has been me. And it took Amaechi and his principal almost 10 years to catch up with me. They have now reversed their position on fuel subsidy. The question about subsidy is, who are you subsidizing? You are subsidizing the elites. You are subsidizing the governors.” Sowore further challenged the economic justification, recalling, “I was a student in 1989, they removed subsidy. In 1990, they removed subsidy. They said Nigeria will be better. We are in 2026, they are still removing subsidy. They have been robbing Peter to pay Bola Tinubu. That is what removal of subsidy is all about. The poor people of this country only benefit from subsidy from petrol, gasoline. There is no subsidy on kerosene… What did they build with it? Please, don’t let these politicians lie to you.”

Sowore also took aim at Amaechi's track record, referencing an earlier comment by Amaechi that suggested politicians who had been in government, excluding Sowore and Adebayo, had failed. Sowore then criticized Amaechi's tenure as Minister of Transportation, specifically citing a rail line built in Rivers State that he claimed "went nowhere" and failed to benefit the people, arguing that functional transportation infrastructure would make subsidy more effective. Amaechi swiftly interjected, refuting Sowore's characterization of his remarks, stating, “Stop lying. Stop lying, Sowore. I said, judge us by our achievements.” Amaechi went on to defend his achievements as both governor and minister, highlighting the construction of roads, primary schools, and significant rail projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna railways. He challenged local lawyers to confirm his works, and when Sowore attempted to interrupt again, Amaechi reiterated his demand for Sowore's silence: “Moreover, Sowore, when politicians are talking, close your mouth.”

The debate also extended to Peter Obi's past performance as Anambra State governor. Sowore criticized Obi for not subsidizing education in his state, which he claimed led to lecturers and doctors going on strike for 13 months. Sowore concluded his argument by affirming his commitment to not removing subsidy, advocating instead for the poor to be subsidized over the rich, who he argued already benefit from waivers. In response, Peter Obi defended the necessity of removing fuel subsidy, clarifying that while he supports the policy in principle, his administration would have implemented it differently to ensure direct benefits to citizens and prevent the mismanagement and theft of recovered resources. He stated, “I subscribe and I maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it… What we have today is that the removal and the attendant resources being recovered are also being mismanaged and stolen.”

The spirited exchanges underscored the deep divisions and strong convictions among Nigeria's political aspirants regarding economic policy, governance accountability, and the welfare of the populace, setting a contentious tone for the political landscape leading up to the 2027 general elections.