Drama as Sowore, Amaechi, Obi Clash Over Fuel Subsidy at NBA Conference in Port Harcourt

The annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, turned into a heated political debate as African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi disagreed over fuel subsidy removal and national governance.

The confrontation occurred during a panel session focused on state affairs and economic policy, where Sowore criticised successive administrations for removing fuel subsidies while, according to him, ordinary Nigerians continued to bear the consequences.

Sowore maintained that he had consistently opposed subsidy removal, accusing politicians of benefiting elites and governors at the expense of the masses.

“You’re the only one who has been consistent about non-removal of fuel subsidy. It has been me,” Sowore said, while challenging Amaechi and other politicians to account for their records in government.

He questioned the justification for repeatedly removing subsidy over several decades, arguing that Nigerians had yet to see corresponding improvements in their living conditions.

Sowore also criticised Amaechi’s record as a former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, particularly the railway projects undertaken during his tenure.

“When it comes to subsidy, transportation policy is important. We have a former governor of Rivers State here, Amaechi, who built a rail line that went nowhere,” Sowore said.

Amaechi quickly interrupted Sowore, rejecting the criticism.

“Stop lying. Stop lying, Sowore. I said, judge us by our achievements,” Amaechi fired back.

Defending his record, Amaechi cited the construction of roads and primary schools during his tenure as Rivers State governor, as well as major railway projects including the Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna rail lines.

He challenged Rivers State lawyers attending the conference to assess the projects he executed as governor.

“Where are Rivers lawyers? Let them take Sowore around and show him what I did as a former Governor,” Amaechi said.

The exchange became more heated when Sowore attempted to interrupt, prompting Amaechi to tell him, “Moreover, Sowore, when politicians are talking, close your mouth.”

Amaechi also turned his criticism toward Peter Obi, questioning his record as governor of Anambra State.

He alleged that lecturers and doctors in the state embarked on prolonged strikes during Obi’s tenure and argued that Obi had not adequately supported education.

“Peter Obi did not subsidize education in his state. Lecturers and doctors went on strike for 13 months,” Amaechi said.

On fuel subsidy, however, Amaechi said he would not support its complete removal because of the impact on poor Nigerians.

“I will not remove subsidy because the poor in Nigeria need to be subsidized instead of the rich,” he said, arguing that government should redirect support towards ordinary citizens.

When it was his turn to respond, Obi defended the removal of fuel subsidy but criticised the management of the resources generated from the policy.

“I subscribe and I maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it,” Obi said.

The former Anambra governor argued that government should have provided Nigerians with alternative benefits while investing the resources recovered from subsidy removal in critical sectors.

“What we would have done is that when we remove subsidy, we would have given the people alternative usage for the subsidy,” he said.

Obi further alleged that the resources recovered from subsidy removal were being mismanaged and stolen, stressing that the focus should be on how the funds were deployed.

He cited primary healthcare as one area where the recovered funds could have made a significant difference.

Obi argued that allocating a portion of the reported N16tn recovered from the reforms to primary healthcare could significantly improve healthcare delivery across Nigeria’s wards.

The exchange highlighted contrasting positions among the 2027 political contenders, with Sowore opposing subsidy removal, Amaechi advocating support for the poor, and Obi supporting subsidy removal but insisting that the proceeds should be transparently and productively managed.