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Atedo Peterside is calling out the federal appointment of Admiral Ibas in Rivers State, accusing him of installing unqualified individuals from outside the state in sensitive positions — a move Peterside says threatens local stability and dignity.
  • Peterside questioned the legitimacy and process behind recent appointments in Rivers.
  • He accused Admiral Ibas (a Cross River native) of forcing "riff raffs" on the people.
  • The appointments came under a controversial federal state of emergency directive.
  • Critics see this as part of a wider pattern of central control overriding local voices.
  • Many are asking: Why is Peterside only speaking up now, when the damage is already done?
  • Some Nigerians are fed up with South-South elites trading blame — time to step aside if they have no real solutions.
Peterside’s frustration reflects a broader struggle in Nigeria’s democracy — the fight for local voices to be heard over top-down governance. His comments strike at a nerve: many communities, especially in the Niger Delta, feel sidelined despite their economic contributions. By invoking regional pride and questioning legitimacy, Peterside is giving voice to people who feel imposed upon, not represented. But the risk is that this could inflame existing divisions if not handled delicately.

As Nigeria’s federal structure faces renewed scrutiny, the big question is: how do we balance national unity with local agency? Rivers might just be the flashpoint that defines the answer.