AMAECHI OKONKWO brings some perspectives in the latest round of twist in the power play over of the machinery of government and the fight back by Governor Siminialayi Fubara.
The political events of the past 24 hours which, has again put Rivers State in the limelight for the wrong reasons are clear indications of a relationship gone awry between the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and his political godfather, former governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike. The political blow-up at the state House of Assembly on Monday marked the public display of disagreement between the governor and Wike who saw to the emergence Fubara as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.
Then, Fubara, a serving civil servant and accountant general of the state and newcomer in partisan politics, against all odds but with the overbearing influence of then Wike was “selected” by the Rivers PDP as its candidate in the governorship election.
His emergence shattered the prediction of most bookmakers and political watchers, who were looking towards several bigwigs and supposed close allies of Wike in the party to clinch the ticket. Some of the supposed front runners then included Austin Opara, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Felix Obuah, former PDP Rivers State Chairman; Tammy Danagogo, then Secretary to State Government who has managed to retain his position in the current Fubara administration, among many others.
Wike was able to manage and quell the storms raised within the PDP over his choice of Fubara, including attempts by breakaway factions of the PDP, where Fatah Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives, was arrested and detained until after the party primaries for attempting to contest in the intra-party election.
Using his several Executive Orders, Wike ensured that others like Chinyere Igwe, another former member of the House of Representatives, Celestine Omehia, who Wike officially recognised and restored to the status of former governor and Precious Sekibo, former Minister of Transport could not find their footing in the state to oppose his plans for the state in the 2023 elections.
With that overbearing influence, Wike ensured that not just Fubara clinched the governorship election proper but that the PDP candidates emerged winners of all offices that were contested for in the 2023 elections in Rivers, besides the president. Most of the positions, besides the governorship were also contested at the different tribunals and still depending on Wike’s influence were won by PDP candidates. However, that of the governorship is still pending at the Appeal Tribunal for final determination.
With the election decided and the swearing of Fubara as governor of the state, all eyes were on him to see how he will run the state in the face of Wike emerging Minister of FCT and his closeness to President Bola Tinubu. Signs of concern immediately began to emerge with Fubara’s first appointments which triggered insinuations that the exercise was akin to the voice of Governor Fubara and the hands of Minister Wike. All of the appointments, including that of Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and commissioners of some strategic ministries were populated by Wike’s kinsmen and political ally. About only 14 commissioners were thus appointed.
Thereafter, nothing was heard anymore about other important ministries, including those of information, agriculture and Urban Planning, among others. Thus, tongues started wagging and political watchers began to allege that Minister Wike was breathing down on Governor Fubara and not allowing him to take any decision or do anything without the minister’s approval.
This caused some stakeholders in the state to express concern over the slow pace of governance barely six months after the swearing in of the governor. Main opposition parties in the state have been very critical of the Fubara’s administration describing it as a third term of the Wike government. They pointed to the seeming inactivity of Fubara’s government and blamed it on the alleged overbearing influence of Wike.
But as the months rolled by, it became apparent that Fubara himself was getting tired of the seeming state of inertia of his administration and decided to take some independent steps. One of those steps was said to have been his unannounced visit to Songhai Model Farm in Tai local government area of the state which Wike abandoned throughout his eight-year tenure, despite what some main stakeholders in Rivers described as the clear promises it had for employment generation and human capital development.
Secondly, Fubara last Friday, swore in five new commissioners, including that of Information and Communications, which close allies of the governor and his predecessor claimed was done without the approval of the minister. So, it was generally claimed to have triggered the open confrontation and impeachment moves against the governor. Shonghai was initiated by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who is said not to be on the same page with Wike for abandoning the initiative and others.
With the events on Monday at the state Assembly complex signaling the beginning of a serious rift between Fubara and his godfather Wike, many observers are deeply concerned about the continued survival of Fubara as governor considering the closeness of Wike to President Tinubu and the judiciary where Fubara has a subsisting case against his emergence as governor. However, some pundits say the groundswell of support for Fubara across the state might swing the pendulum in his favour as many prominent individuals and groups have come out to express their solidarity for Fubara advising Wike to concentrate on his job as FCT minister and allow Fubara to also concentrate on his own job. Some elder statesmen, for the first time in recent years, have rallied around Fubara, accusing Wike of being behind the impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor by the state House of Assembly. First to do so was the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, who urged President Tinubu to call Wike to order and allow Fubara do his job as governor of Rivers. Same for a former governor of old Rivers State, Ada George. He called on political actors in the state to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign. He advised them not to allow their differences to plung the state into anarchy but give peace a chance.
Some opposition parties in the state have also stated that they would back Fubara until the house of assembly clearly states reasons for his planned impeachment. Spokesman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers and facilitator of the Coalition of Opposition Parties (COP), Bethel Ogo-Jaja questioned the reasons for the purported impeachment moves while calling the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to call his men to order over allegations of compromise.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) also raised concern over the escalating political turbulence in Rivers. The Chairman, Paul Amadi, said the ongoing turmoil is detrimental to the citizens of the state.
On its part, the Rivers chapter of the PDP has called for restraint between the legislative and executive arms of government following the face off. The call was contained in a statement jointly signed by the state chairman of the party, Ambassador. Desmond Akawo; deputy chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron and the secretary, Banebo George. The party said it was consulting with stakeholders of the party with a view to resolving the crisis which it described as a family affair. It expressed hope that the crisis will be resolved amicably.
The Rivers chapter of the APC, on its part, condemned, in very strong terms, the destruction of public assets at the State Assembly complex The party, in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Darlington Nwauju said: “We warn political actors not to jeopardise the fragile security of the state because of their political greed. We had warned Rivers people of the third term ambition of the immediate past Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike.
Also, some youth groups have issued strong warning to Wike not to truncate the relative peace in the state, saying they would not sit, fold their arms and allow anyone to remove the governor from office. In a swift reaction to the development, the Coalition of Democratic Vanguard, a unified group of concerned citizens, condemned what it termed attempts by Wike and his allies for allegedly seeking to impeach Governor Fubara and Edison Ehie, the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The coalition in a statement signed by its chairman, Thompson Orumbo, and Secretary, Peter Nwabunna, warned Wike not to undermine democratic process and urged all parties involved to respect the will of the people and prioritize the betterment of Rivers State. It said: “Rivers State has made significant strides in the pursuit of development and stability under the leadership of Governor Fubara. The governor has championed policies and initiatives that have positively impacted the lives of the citizens. Political squabbles and power struggles should not hinder the progress, and the people’s mandate must be respected,” the group stated. “The Coalition calls upon Wike and his co-travellers to prioritize the interests of the people and set aside personal and political interest. The unity and stability of Rivers State should be the primary goal, with cooperative efforts dedicated to achieving sustained development, improved infrastructure, and the welfare of its citizens.”
Forty-eight hours after the tempest that erupted and unsettled the Garden City, pertinent issues about the remote and the immediate reasons for it dominate major political discourse and debate in the state. A cloud of uncertainty still hangs in the sky, especially on the likely next steps the diverse interests plan to embark on, just as a lot stakeholders in the state are seriously worried by the curious about the frightening dimensions the quest for political power tend to assume. A lot of people have also revived the debate on the politics of godfathers vis-à-vis, as well as the impact and implications for the nation. And in the views of some keen observers, what was witnessed in Rivers two days ago could be the first scene in a series of scenes in a matter of time.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
REVEALED: Lifestyles of Ibadan ‘clerics’ caught with human head, body parts
When the video of three suspects –Ramoni Opeyemi a.k.a Alubarika; Taofeek Olalekan a.k.a K’abelohun and Tayo Akinrinola a.k.a Ifa– caught with…
‘Farewell great king’, Natasha mourns Ohinoyi of Ebiraland
Senatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi Central, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on…
Nigeria’s judiciary stinks, retiring Supreme court justice explodes
ON his last day as Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, declared on Friday in Abuja that the Nigerian judiciary is…
Big bum-bum: How Female celebrities are fuelling butt enhancement craze
The pursuit of the perfect physique for many Nigerian female celebrities and the surge in…
The rumble in Supreme Court’s jungle
Is there any connect between law and public opinion or judgments and public opinion? Before Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s (rtd) valedictory speech at…
Fury knocked down but beat Ngannou on split decision
WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury beat former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou on a split decision in...
and then