A political session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers, on Monday, turned heated as presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi exchanged words during discussions on Nigeria’s political future.
The session, themed “Beyond Limits”, brought together politicians and legal practitioners to examine the country’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Discussions centred on the records of former public office holders, government policies and their impact on Nigerians, including the removal of fuel subsidy and challenges in the transportation sector.
ALSO READ: Rule of law takes centre stage at NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt
During the session, Amaechi, who represented former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, turned his attention to Sowore and questioned his experience in governance.
“Please, I need Rivers lawyers to take Sowore around. What is your experience?” Amaechi asked.
The former governor subsequently told Sowore to remain silent while politicians with previous governing experience were speaking.
“When politicians are talking, Sowore, close your mouth,” Amaechi said.
The exchange added tension to the political discussion, which featured presidential candidates and representatives from various political parties.
Those at the session included Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC); Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); and Amaechi, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, was also present at the conference.