Agbakoba condemns Rivers political crisis …calls for healthcare reforms following Chimamanda Adichie’s son’s death
Prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Nigerian Bar Association President, Olisa Agbakoba, has issue criticism of Nigeria’s political and healthcare leadership, highlighting what he describes as a troubling disconnect between officials and the public.
Agbakoba condemned the deepening political turmoil in Rivers State, arguing that the prolonged confrontation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and key political actors reflects a leadership class more concerned with personal ambition than public service.
Speaking on Channels television on Sunday, he said the dispute has sidelined ordinary citizens, with governance overshadowed by power struggles rather than policies or service delivery.
The crisis has intensified with the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
Legislators have accused the governor of gross misconduct, including unauthorized spending exceeding N800 billion, withholding statutory funds, ordering the demolition of the Assembly complex, and allegedly ignoring Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
The deputy governor faces related allegations of collusion in unconstitutional financial activities.
Agbakoba warned that such political posturing, widely viewed as positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, undermined democratic principles and eroded public trust.
He stressed that authority deprived from the electorate, urging political actors to prioritise citizens’ welfare over internal rivalries.
In a separate but related critique of Nigerian leadership, Agbakoba demanded an independent and transparent investigation into the death of Nkanu, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The toddler died at Euracare Hospital, Lagos, during preparatory medical procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
Agbakoba described the tragedy as emblematic of systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and called for sweeping reforms to prevent future occurrences.
He stressed that meaningful change required not only investigations but also stronger regulatory oversight, professional accountability, and a comprehensive overhaul of healthcare delivery in the country.
The family of the deceased had initiated legal proceedings against the hospital, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct, including improper monitoring, incorrect sedation administration, and failure to intervene promptly as complications arose.
The Lagos State Government had launched an official probe involving HEFAMAA and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to ensure accountability and transparency.
Agbakoba’s dual interventions underscore a broader concern: that both political and institutional leadership in Nigeria frequently fail to serve citizens’ interests.
Whether in governance or healthcare, he argued that accountability, transparency, and prioritisation of public welfare were essential to restoring trust and ensuring stability.
