A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and constitutional lawyer, Oba Maduabuchi, has said that the political crisis in Rivers State is rooted in the struggle for power and control, not ideological differences, arguing that ideology is largely absent in Nigerian politics.
Maduabuchi made the assertion on Monday during an interactive session on ARISE News’ Newsday, where he examined the forces shaping political alignments in Nigeria, particularly the unfolding situation in Rivers State.
According to the senior lawyer, political parties and actors in Nigeria do not operate on the basis of defined ideological principles as seen in advanced democracies, but are driven primarily by access to political power and material resources.
“There is nothing like ideology in Nigerian politics. We deceive ourselves when we talk about it,” Maduabuchi said. “Tell me the ideology of APC, PDP or even the Labour Party — there is none.”
He explained that unlike countries such as the United States or Britain, where political loyalty is shaped by deeply rooted ideological beliefs, Nigerian politics is largely transactional, with money, ethnicity and survival determining political choices.
“Our main ideology is food on the table. Push money to the electorate and they will vote for you, that is the Nigerian ideology,” he stated.
Maduabuchi argued that the Rivers State political standoff should therefore be viewed strictly through the lens of who controls political power, rather than any philosophical disagreement or policy-driven divide.
“What is happening in Rivers State is about loss and retention of political power, not ideology,” he said.
The SAN further dismissed debates around capitalism or socialism in the Nigerian context, noting that most political actors function as businessmen rather than ideologues, while policy initiatives are often undermined by corruption and poor implementation.
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He also stressed that identity politics, ethnic considerations and economic pressures often outweigh ideological commitments in Nigerian and broader African politics.
Maduabuchi’s comments come amid sustained political tension and realignments in Rivers State, raising concerns about governance stability and democratic accountability.
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