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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.

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.

Source: https://dailytrust.com/amaechi-to-sowore-close-your-mouth-when-politicians-are-talking

Amaechi told Sowore to shut his mouth when politicians are talking.

Sowore felt it because it showed in his facial expression. pic.twitter.com/3A4RGAMGbK

— High Chief Lawrence Igbins Okoro (@HighChiefOkoro) August 24, 2026

Moment things got heated between Sowore and Amaechi at the NBA Conference in Port Harcourt.

Sowore: I love that Amaechi said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of them have been in government and have failed. They have no business coming out. You should be apologising… pic.twitter.com/cm9ObPc7Sm

— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) August 24, 2026

I watched the event. Sowore also blasted Peter Obi as a failure and Obi couldn't defend himself.

Sowore doesn't have to reply this clown. Doris ogala will handle him properly

"APC saying that if subsidy comes back there will be queues reminds me of how I met my wife during Buhari’s time. We were both queuing at a filling station, I saw her behind me & decided to give her my spot. We exchanged numbers & the rest is history. That’s the beauty of subsidy."

- Yusuf Subsideen

Atiku/Amaechi 2027!

AMINDA:
"APC saying that if subsidy comes back there will be queues reminds me of how I met my wife during Buhari’s time. We were both queuing at a filling station, I saw her behind me & decided to give her my spot. We exchanged numbers & the rest is history. That’s the beauty of subsidy."

- Yusuf Subsideen

Atiku/Amaechi 2027!

Pls tell me the surname is a co-incidence or sarcasm?

DeepSight:
P;s tell me the surname is a co-incidence or sarcasm?

Coincidence

He's got a point. It's easy to use mouth to drive trailer. All these while, we've adviced Sowore to start from somewhere, by now, he should have proven some competence and built bigger alliance. This is backdoor revolution hope cannot work.

For just dis statement, I love Amaecgi abeg....in as much as I love n support Obi, he's so much keeping quiet n docile for my liking....just imagine Sowore of no where?...who d hell is he?...what has he done to prove he's even capable of handling a mere councillor position?

Hehehee! Amaechi that Wike retired from Rivers Politics.

This is why Peter Obi didn’t respond to Sowore, but it’s good Amaechi put him in his place.

Functions like this should be meant for certain candidates who have met some thresholds.

For example, debates in America are meant for candidates who have met some polling thresholds

Primordial sentiments, sorry your excellency. Even Tinubu is dragged on a steady.

Why Sowore no burst bottle for that useless Amaechi's head ?

Sowore is not serious about politics, it is all about optics.

Image123:
He's got a point. It's easy to use mouth to drive trailer. All these while, we've adviced Sowore to start from somewhere, by now, he should have proven some competence and built bigger alliance. This is backdoor revolution hope cannot work.

Sowore should come to my state to contest for the office of the governor. The person occupying that sit his so useless.

At least that will give him some experience in governance.

Image123:
He's got a point. It's easy to use mouth to drive trailer. All these while, we've adviced Sowore to start from somewhere, by now, he should have proven some competence and built bigger alliance. This is backdoor revolution hope cannot work.

Exactly! He should do something...maybe start from the Ondo State House of Assembly at least.

You can see that non of these people can help Nigeria.

They are just attacking themselves instead of them to tell us what they will do right that Tinubu's govt is not doing well. Mind you, Tinubu told us all that he is taking over from where Buhari stopped. And this is exactly what he is doing. In as much as I am also not his fan and I know that his boys are looting steadily, I will also say that all of these ones are so unserious.

The worst of them all is Peter Obi. He did it to the extent that his own supporter was ashamed of him and blasted him. Rufai Oseni was so upset that Seun Okinbaloye roasted Obi...and Obi was going round and round, but no solution came out.

My own is this:
1. How will you tackle corruption?
2. How will give us power? How will you tackle corruption around it.

I dont want to hear about subsidies or Benin- Aghor road, Coastal Highway, Carter Bridge.....etc. Just say how you will tackle corruption. Period.

If you tell us that you want to hide your strategy....Your strategy "kee" you there. Wayo!

Non of them has any solution to our problem. They just want to become the president. That's all.

IkeOnyia:
I watched the event. Sowore also blasted Peter Obi as a failure and Obi couldn't defend himself.

Obi dey always do like Mugu..

Sowore








Incoming president

DeepSight:
P;s tell me the surname is a co-incidence or sarcasm?

This one na dangerous satire

AMINDA:
"APC saying that if subsidy comes back there will be queues reminds me of how I met my wife during Buhari’s time. We were both queuing at a filling station, I saw her behind me & decided to give her my spot. We exchanged numbers & the rest is history. That’s the beauty of subsidy."

- Yusuf Subsideen

Atiku/Amaechi 2027!

Continue creating stories to be deceiving your self. I'll never vote for inconsistent presidential candidate without direction..

Saturnalia:
Hehehee! Amaechi that Wike retired from Rivers Politics.

Is this all you understood from this thread?
Is this thread about Public Service Delivery or about who retired the other?
Some persons are at the wrong place?

Sowore dey give dem woto woto

I'm from rivers State. No government since the conception of rivers state has impacted rivers people like amaechi did. Literally the best governor ever. And my opinion has nothing to do with party lines. I'm an NDC member but if Amaechi was contesting against peter Obi for presidency, I will definitely vote Amaechi over again cuz man knows what it takes to govern people

Amaechi is a more polished version of another Rivers State Governor that wants to be president, ARROGANT!

What I watched yesterday, it's Amaechi that fall my hand but he has been in politics for too long so he doesn't know how to control himself. He was telling us about 40 years in politics, where do yoh come from? We know what it means to win elections? 24,000 lawyers can vote Sowore but I know 93 million people will vote for this and that.

On the other hand, I am happy he gave Sowore a response because most times Sowore gets away with some of what he says because they can't respond. Amaechi was able to list the rail lines his administration as Minister was able to build but he didn't do well. He mentioned the line then said he doesn't know how Tinubu's government is now managing it o. Amaechi cannot absolve himself from the problem we have today. He helped bring this government he wants to remove to power. He also said he would never be a VP. He thinks we can just forget all those things he did and said just like that.

I also want to remind him that spending 40 years in politics is not an achievement and I will teach you politics style that he had yesterday was nothing but ARROGANCE. This is why we need more debates, they all need to tackle themselves.

At least he could argue because he did something. The other effeminate voiced agulu fraud messiah had absolutely nothing to say or counter because he did absolutely nothing tangible as a governor for 8 years

Mccullum:
Continue creating stories to be deceiving your self. I'll never vote for inconsistent presidential candidate without direction..

By inconsistent, do you mean Tinubu, who protested against Jonathan for removing subsidy but declared that subsidy is gone on the day of his inauguration? If not, then simply confess that you will be voting for your tribesman and that is very okay.

Image123:
He's got a point. It's easy to use mouth to drive trailer. All these while, we've adviced Sowore to start from somewhere, by now, he should have proven some competence and built bigger alliance. This is backdoor revolution hope cannot work.

That Sowore's tackle made Amaechi list his achievements, then put Sowore to his place. His nuisance value is still necessary for our politicians who abuse themsleves in the morning then bath together at night.

Stanna2025:
I'm from rivers State. No government since the conception of rivers state has impacted rivers people like amaechi did. Literally the best governor ever. And my opinion has nothing to do with party lines. I'm an NDC member but if Amaechi was contesting against peter Obi for presidency, I will definitely vote Amaechi over again cuz man knows what it takes to govern people

None of the V.P candidates in all the political parties currently in the race can hold a candle to Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. Amaechi is a presidential material. He's a tested and trusted achiever! Evidence plenty. Even Sowore is his boy in student unionism, and I'm sure they are all just catching fun.

AMINDA:
By inconsistent, do you mean Tinubu, who protested against Jonathan for removing subsidy but declared that subsidy is gone on the day of his inauguration? If not, then simply confess that you will be voting for your tribesman and that is very okay.

It's not about tribe, all four major presidential candidates in 2023 declared removal of subsidy if they won. Atiku now saying he'll remove subsidy because of his desperation for power. He's deceiving himself and his gullible followers like you that is supporting him because of tribe. Which you will deny but it is obvious.

Mccullum:
It's not about tribe, all four major presidential candidates in 2023 declared removal of subsidy if they won. Atiku now saying he'll remove subsidy because of his desperation for power. He's deceiving him and gullible followers like you that is supporting him because of tribe. Which you will deny but it is obvious.

If Tinubu can change his mind after protesting against Jonathan, why can't Atiku do the same after seeing how Tinubu removed the subsidy and fumbled it? Support your tribesman in peace and stop trying to gaslight us.

adenigga:
Source: https://dailytrust.com/amaechi-to-sowore-close-your-mouth-when-politicians-are-talking

Amaechi told Sowore to shut his mouth when politicians are talking.

Sowore felt it because it showed in his facial expression. pic.twitter.com/3A4RGAMGbK

— High Chief Lawrence Igbins Okoro (@HighChiefOkoro) August 24, 2026

Moment things got heated between Sowore and Amaechi at the NBA Conference in Port Harcourt.

Sowore: I love that Amaechi said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of them have been in government and have failed. They have no business coming out. You should be apologising… pic.twitter.com/cm9ObPc7Sm

— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) August 24, 2026

It's very easy to say I can do this and that but doing it is another job all together. But sowore don't have any political experience that's a fact. Sug president is not a experience