A session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, turned heated on Monday as African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore exchanged sharp remarks.

The confrontation occurred during discussions on Nigeria’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections, with speakers assessing the records of former public officials and debating economic policies, particularly fuel subsidy and transportation.

Sowore used the platform to question the records of politicians who had previously held public office, arguing that Nigerians should demand accountability rather than be carried away by political promises.

He maintained that politicians who had governed in the past should explain their performance to Nigerians and account for the outcomes of their policies.

“I like what Amaechi said. He said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of them have governed before and have failed. You guys should be apologising to the Nigerian people,” he said.

The AAC candidate also connected the fuel subsidy debate to Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, arguing that efficient public transportation could reduce the burden of rising fuel costs on citizens.

He criticised the performance of some railway projects, including one associated with a former Rivers State administration, questioning their usefulness to the people.

“We have a former governor of Rivers State who built a rail line that led to nowhere. If that rail line was well working, subsidy would have been working for Rivers State,” Amaechi said.

Sowore also took aim at former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, questioning his record in the education and health sectors.

According to him, Obi’s popularity should not prevent Nigerians from critically examining his performance while in office.

“Peter Obi, for example, did not subsidise education in his state. Lecturers and doctors went on strike for 13 months. You can like him as a person, but he did not perform as a governor,” he said.

Amaechi, however, defended his tenure as Minister of Transportation under the former Muhammadu Buhari administration, insisting that some railway projects were functional while he was in office.

“In my time, Lagos-Ajaokuta railway was working. I do not know why it is not working under Tinubu. Same thing for Abuja-Kaduna rail,” he said.

The exchange became particularly tense when Amaechi challenged Sowore over his knowledge of Rivers State and urged lawyers from the state to take the AAC candidate around to familiarise himself with its realities.

“Please, I need Rivers lawyers to take Sowore around. What is your experience?” Amaechi asked.

He then directed a blunt remark at Sowore, telling him to remain silent while politicians with experience in governance were speaking.

“When politicians are talking, Sowore, close your mouth,” Amaechi said.