Engr. Reynolds Dagogo-Jack, a former Senior Special Assistant on Power to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has issued a stern warning regarding the political trajectory of Rivers State. Speaking at a high-level town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, the former governorship aspirant called for an immediate and comprehensive reconstruction of the state’s political architecture ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event, titled “Citizens, Leadership and the Road to 2027: Discussing the Future of Rivers State Beyond the Next Election,” was the sixth in a series organised by the Rivers Peace Initiative in collaboration with Super 93.3 FM and the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, University of Port Harcourt.
Addressing the assembly as the Guest of Honour, Engr. Dagogo-Jack characterised the current leadership model in the state as fundamentally defective. He argued that the prevailing political format prioritises “personal structures” over merit, transparency, and the collective welfare of the citizenry.
“The progress of every society starts from its leadership. Leadership is embedded in politics. The current format of our politics in Rivers State will not take us to the promised land,” Dagogo-Jack asserted.
He further criticised the tendency of certain political figures to treat the state as a “personal estate,” warning that such an approach inevitably breeds disharmony and insecurity, which in turn stifles economic growth.
Dagogo-Jack expressed profound concern over the state’s economic standing. He noted that despite possessing superior resources, Rivers State has seen its competitive edge slip significantly.
Historical Standing: Rivers was traditionally second only to Lagos in virtually every economic metric. Current Reality: The state has fallen behind in the national pecking order. Potential: He insisted that with the right principles, Rivers could not only compete with but “easily overtake” Lagos.
The former presidential aide also questioned the perceived silence of the state’s elders, asking why they have seemingly “abandoned the struggles to youths” while a few individuals arrogate to themselves the power to determine the state’s future.
In his keynote address, Senibo Bobo Sofiri Brown, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), echoed the sentiment that the state currently lacks a clear aspiration. He proposed a strategic pivot toward the maritime sector to rejuvenate the economy.
“My aspiration is to see Rivers State back as the most efficient maritime economy in West Africa,” Brown stated, suggesting that a robust agro-industry processing sector built around seafood could be the catalyst for this transformation.
Earlier, the convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, emphasised that the state’s significant resource wealth is not reflected in its current level of development. He urged citizens to break their silence and hold leadership at all levels accountable.
“A state does not decline suddenly; it declines gradually,” Ebogidi warned. “It starts when difficult conversations are avoided, when accountability becomes selective, and when citizens begin to expect less from leadership and from themselves.”
The town hall concluded with a collective call to stakeholders to participate in “digging a new foundation” for Rivers politics one rooted in stability, security, and shared prosperity for future generations.
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