Politics
Why Tinubu Must Douse Political Flames In Rivers State
Besides former governor of Rivers State, Nysom Wike ensuring the emergence of Siminalayi Fubara as his successor, not much was in the public space about the two before the firing of rockets on Sunday night.
However, no one can deny knowledge of the fact that the game is politics. The aim is fortune and fame, while the ammunition for political ambitions are the peoples blood and their well-being.
If a civil conflict of political gladiators was teed-off with rockets at the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Complex, it is left for the public to imagine what could follow.
In less than 24 hours, the warlords have demonstrated a level of desperation that serious countries cannot ignore.
Recall that the people of Rivers State and indeed Nigeria had gone to bed, hoping to wake up to a peaceful working week, before the political hawks struck with the salvo of a bomb.
A bomb, heralding a civil conflict?
However, before the public could place the warfare properly, many thought it was mere accident, within 12 hours, members of the RSHA, said to be numbered 24, had removed the majority leader, Edison Ehie and served an impeachment notice on Gov Fubara.
The move, now being interpreted as being the script of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had one objective, conquer and annex Rivers State to Wike’s political empire.
Those behind the firebomb would have been taken aback that men of the Rivers State Fire Service were able to douse the flames from the bomb on Sunday.
Undeterred, the legislators met early Monday morning and signed an impeachment notice against the governor.
It was gathered that the anti-Fubara lawmakers, led by Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, met at about 6am on Monday, to perfect the impeachment notice.
In addition to removing the majority leader, Hon Ehie, other legislators opposed to the impeachment of the governor were suspended.
Among the lawmakers suspended were Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West, Hon Adolphus Oruibienimigha, representing Opobo/Nkoro and Hon Victor Oko Jumbo, representing Bonny.
From the notice of impeachment, made public by Hon Sylvanus Nwankwo, the member representing Omuma constituency, the notice was brought pursuant to section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
According to him, the impeachment notice was predicated on “gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of the office of the governor.’’
The public is sending grave danger, not just for Rivers State, but the entire Niger Delta, the national economy and the peace of Nigeria.
They point to how hostilities in the Niger Delta crippled Nigeria’s economy until late President Umoru Yaradua came up with the amnesty initiative.
They also note that the economic muscle of Rivers State is such that whoever is governor can impact the steering of the political ship of the Nigerian state.
The roles of Rotimi Amaechi in ousting Goodluck Jonathan, which aided Muhammadu Buhari into office, and that of Wike in enthroning Tinubu are fresh in the minds of political watchers.
Probably for these reasons, elder statesman and the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Tinubu to call Wike and the security forces in Rivers State to order.
Chief Clark expressed great concern over the political fireworks witnessed in Rivers State between Sunday and Monday.
He said, “I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State, who has spent only about five months in office.
“I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.
“And that the intention is to remove the governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person, as the governor of the state. Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen!
“President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State.”
Recounting what has transpired in the melodrama, Chief Clark noted, “Last night, the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly was burnt in what apparently is part of the plot to destabilize the state.
“The governor was tear-gassed and was even threatened with being shot at when he visited the assembly complex after the incident to assess the level of damage.
“We are not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like; we are in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all.’’
On the larger picture, the elder statesman cautioned against fomenting political crisis in Rivers State which could have wider implications for the Niger Delta region.
“Rivers people have suffered enough political crises. The state should not be allowed to degenerate again into its dark past, and the Niger Delta region by extension.
“The consequences would be dire for the stability of the region and the national economy.
“What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Refusing to be further ‘remote controlled’?
“Mr Nyesom Wike was governor for eight years, nobody hassled him. He governed Rivers State like an emperor, he did not show any iota of respect and regard to anyone, not even those who imposed him on Rivers people in 2015.
“President Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the country at large. A word is enough for the wise.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has declared that nothing will prevent the upcoming local government election from holding, despite resistance from the state’s police command.
In the early hours of Friday, Fubara personally visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) office in Port Harcourt.
The facility, where electoral materials are stored, had been barricaded by police operatives.
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The police presence, which was seen as a blockade, quickly dispersed after Fubara arrived at the scene, accompanied by lawmakers and government officials.
Their departure followed the governor’s strong opposition to the actions of the police.
The Rivers State police command had earlier announced that it would not provide security for the election, citing a federal high court order from Abuja.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the state’s police spokesperson, clarified that the decision was in compliance with the court’s directive.
However, Fubara dismissed the need for police security and criticized the police’s involvement.
He claimed that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), was acting under the influence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and former Rivers governor.
“We came here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police were taking over the RISEC premises. I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said during his visit.
He questioned the interpretation of the court ruling, emphasizing that it did not explicitly stop the election from taking place.
“The judgment said don’t give the voter register and police, don’t provide security. But is that the same thing as blocking the election?” he asked.
Fubara insisted that the election would proceed regardless of police support, citing a similar situation in Anambra where elections were conducted without police security.
“We don’t need your security. We will provide our own,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to seeing the election through.
In a fiery speech, Fubara warned that the only way to stop the election would be if he were shot.
“I will be here. This is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it,” he declared, adding that any attempt to do so would mark a dark chapter in the history of the IGP.
The governor’s stance has raised tensions in Rivers as the election date approaches, with both the local population and political observers closely watching the developments.
“The election will hold, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in,” Fubara vowed.
Fubara’s comments signal a deepening rift between the state government and federal security agencies, further complicating the already fraught political atmosphere in Rivers.
The coming days will determine whether the governor’s resolve will prevail or whether legal and security challenges will force a postponement of the polls.
In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, protesters stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, demanding the local government elections proceed as planned.
Despite heavy rainfall, the demonstrators, chanting “Election must hold,” set up canopies, blocked part of the road, and beat drums in defiance of security concerns.
The protest followed an early morning confrontation between the Rivers State governor and security forces.
The governor had rushed to the RSIEC premises after reports emerged that the Rivers State Police Command intended to take control of the office, a move seen by many as an attempt to disrupt the election set for Saturday.
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In an impassioned response, the governor vowed that the elections would not be derailed. “Keep your security, I do not need it. This election must hold on Saturday. The results will be declared, and the winners will be sworn in,” he said, recalling a similar situation in Anambra State.
Earlier on Friday, security operatives reportedly thwarted an attempt by individuals disguised in police uniforms to gain access to the RSIEC office. The intruders allegedly tried to break into the commission’s gates and strong room in a bid to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for the polls.
The pre-election atmosphere in Rivers State remains charged, with security concerns escalating as voters and officials prepare for Saturday’s local government elections.
Tensions escalated at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt on Thursday as protests broke out ahead of the upcoming Local Government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Large crowds of demonstrators gathered at the secretariat, prompting a heavy security presence to control the situation and manage the traffic disruption caused by the unrest.
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According to reports, the protests were fueled by concerns over the delayed release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Protesters voiced frustration over the legal challenges that have complicated the electoral process just days before the election.
The situation intensified after a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, in which Justice Peter Lifu barred INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC.
The court’s decision stemmed from ongoing legal disputes regarding the legitimacy of the election process.
Despite the legal roadblocks, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has insisted that the elections will proceed as planned.
Fubara, citing a prior Supreme Court ruling that mandates all Nigerian states must hold democratically elected local government elections, expressed confidence that the election will take place on schedule.
The delay in the release of the voters’ register has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the upcoming election, intensifying political tensions in Rivers State.
Authorities are on high alert, working to ensure that the situation does not spiral further ahead of the scheduled election date.
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