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Amaechi proved he is still ‘lion of Niger Delta’ by facing gunmen – Eze

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has claimed that a former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, proved that he is still the Lion of the Niger Delta by not caring about his life, disembarking from his car and marching toward the gunmen who attacked his community during his official registration as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Eze said this while condemning the burning and destruction of the Ubima ward secretariat of the ADC located in Amaechi’s community.

In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, Eze noted that a gang of political thugs had invaded the ADC facility, unleashing mayhem, destroying everything in sight before finally setting the office ablaze.

DAILY POST reported that the incident occurred in the wee hours of Friday, just a few moments before Amaechi’s arrival for the ceremony.

Multiple reports have it that the operation lasted over 30 minutes, and the perpetrators operated freely as they were armed to the teeth.

The attackers were said to have invaded the community late Thursday night, firing gunshots before setting the party’s local secretariat on fire, as residents said they shot sporadically across parts of the area during the attack.

They were also said to have returned early Friday and mounted a roadblock along the Omuawa–Ubima Road, preventing vehicles conveying ADC supporters or displaying party banners from entering the community.

“Not minding the fact that they burnt his ward secretariat and mobilized vigilantes and some youths to stop his entrance into his LGA and ward, Amaechi proved that he is still the Lion of the Niger Delta and, not caring about his life, disembarked from his car and marched toward the idiots, who had to run to the nearby bushes,” Eze said.

“By this act, Amaechi, being the Lion that he is, briefed Wike’s boys that in ADC ‘we didn’t join to become weak people’, and he successfully completed his registration.”

Describing the action as dastardly, undemocratic, cowardly and an unfortunate trajectory that has permeated Nigeria’s political engagements, Eze called on security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the actions, which clearly set yet another bad precedent in the polity, are brought to justice.

Eze quoted Amaechi, while addressing his supporters who thronged the venue to receive him, as appealing for calm and urging his loyalists to resist any temptation toward reprisal or disorder.

Amaechi proved he is still ‘lion of Niger Delta’ by facing gunmen – Eze

Bwala/Mehdi interview: Poor communication skills hamper govt’s image, credibility – Showunmi

Segun Showunmi, former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has opined that poor communication skills hampers on the image and credibility of the government.

He therefore called for an in depth professional communication training to enable representatives enhance their ability to convey messages effectively, manage crises, and promote transparency.

Showunmi explained that by improving communication skills, government officials can better articulate policies, address public concerns, and foster a positive image.

His advice stemmed from the controversy generated by a recent live broadcast interview between presidential aide Daniel Bwala and international journalist Mehdi Hasan.

The PDP Chieftain and Convener of the Alternative on Saturday, in a commentary titled,”When Spokespersons Falter: Lessons in Strategic Communication. The Bwala/Mehdi meltdown,” opined that as a spokesperson, every word, tone, gesture, and response becomes part of the narrative

that both domestic and foreign audiences use to evaluate a government.

He said, ”Recent interview performances by presidential representatives have reignited an important conversation about the professional standards required for spokespersons in the modern media environment. Confronting seasoned international interviewers such as Mehdi Hassan is not merely a media appearance; it is a high-stakes exercise in narrative management.

“Effective spokespersons are rarely accidental performers. Communication scholars often reference the “10,000-hour rule,” popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, to illustrate the level of sustained practice required to achieve mastery in complex professions. Professional spokespersons understand how to redirect hostile or loaded questions without appearing evasive.

“They rely on structured communication frameworks often summarized as a “4+1” approach: four supporting points anchored by one central message that consistently returns the conversation to the principal’s policy priorities.”

He maintained that discipline is a hallmark of professionalism, stating that communicators resist the temptation to speak for the applause of a narrow political audience.

“Equally important is situational awareness. Every media platform has a “house style,” every interviewer a known method of questioning, and every audience an expectation of tone. Preparation therefore involves understanding the adversarial dynamics of the interview environment, anticipating lines of attack, and crafting responses that maintain composure while advancing the government’s narrative.

“The craft also involves non-verbal communication. Tone of voice, pitch, cadence, posture, and controlled gestures are not cosmetic features; they are tools that reinforce credibility. Audiences often evaluate confidence and authority through these signals even before processing the substance of a response.

“For governments, the broader lesson is institutional rather than personal. Strategic communication should be treated as a professional discipline requiring training, mentorship, and continuous preparation. Many successful administrations invest heavily in communication war rooms, message simulation exercises, and spokesperson coaching to ensure that representatives are fully prepared for hostile interviews.

“In an era where a single media appearance can circulate globally within minutes, spokesperson performance is no longer a minor detail of governance. It is part of statecraft,” he added.

Bwala/Mehdi interview: Poor communication skills hamper govt’s image, credibility – Showunmi

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