The 2023 Federal House of Representatives candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Tolulope Gbolasire-Aare, has described President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the Rivers State political crisis as laudable.
He stated that the declaration of emergency rule had saved the oil-rich state from total collapse.
Hon. Gbolasire-Aare, who pointed out that the failure of suspended Governor Similayi Fubara to demonstrate loyalty to his political godfather and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led to the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers, emphasised that the timely declaration had helped to prevent further waste and instability.
The 2027 Federal House of Representatives hopeful believed that godfatherism and loyalty are intertwined, serving as the means through which the vision of a political party and the future of a candidate are shaped.
“Godfatherism cannot be viewed as it often is. Anyone who helps you is your little god; that is the fact,” he said.
Regarding the Rivers State crisis, he remarked, “Wike actually helped Fubara reach the most respected position.
“The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was timely, because anything could have happened given the situation in Rivers State.
“President Tinubu’s intervention was essential to protect the residents from the undue effects of the political crisis and the potential doom in Rivers State.”
The politician justified the intervention as a timely response, noting that past administrations, including those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, had also implemented similar timely emergency rule during their respective terms.
Hon. Gbolasire-Aare credited Tinubu for intervening in a political crisis that could have escalated into a statewide crisis, stating that the response has preserved real democracy in Rivers State.
The popular Information Technologist-turned-politician maintained that the emergency rule would not undermine democratic principles in Rivers State, as the Sole Administrator, Ibas Ibokette, has been directed from the outset to engage in direct consultations with both the Presidency and the National Assembly, given that no legislature exists in the state at the moment.
Meanwhile, the 2027 Federal House of Representatives hopeful called on the suspended governor of Rivers State, Sir Similayi Fubara, to form a consensus with Nyesom Wike and his supporters regarding the way forward.
He also urged President Tinubu to create mechanisms to facilitate Fubara’s restoration as the elected governor, ensuring the continuation of democracy before the proposed six months of emergency rule in Rivers State.
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