Endless politicking and routine power struggle in Rivers State have been breeding divisions, gangs and attendant insecurity to the compromise of economic development in the oil-rich state. The recent warpath between the incumbent governor and his predecessor godfather has further scale up restiveness and with governance almost grinding to a halt, OBINNA NWAOKU reports.

In other climes, politicking ends after election, for real governance and welfare priorities to begin. But that is not the case in Rivers State, where an unabated political upheaval is having far-reaching effects on the political economy of the state.

It is also a known fact that when there is political tension in the state, especially among leaders of the ruling party, it distracts the incumbent government from initiating and implementing tangible policies that will address challenges confronting the state and bring desired progress.

A conservative estimated has it that Rivers State has in 12 years lost about N2 trillion in public sector investments as a result of unrest in the political space.

A business and economic analyst, Ignatius Chukwu, who revealed this to The Guardian said due to political crises in the state, many projects worth over N1.91 trillion have been missed apart from other economic activities that many residents would have benefitted from.

According to Chukwu, “Some of the missed projects include the N250 billion bond approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly in July 2010 to build some listed projects but before drawdown could take place, political crisis erupted in 2012. Whereas, Lagos State took bond after bond, Rivers State had to resort to bridging loans from commercial banks.

“Another one is the N375 billion (or $250m) World Bank water project that was to transform Port Harcourt into a modern city. The process had been perfected and completed but the office of the Minister of Finance that was to sign for its drawdown was allegedly prevented from signing it under the Goodluck Jonathan administration because of political crises in the state.

“Another project was the plan to develop the state capital into a fast-moving transport system known as Monorail with about N250 billion and over N20 billion already spent by the state government, most trunks of coaches were already at the Onne Port. The project was abandoned when Wike came to power.

“The greater Port Harcourt city project, which gulped N100 billion per year for 10 years (N1 trillion) but in total, not up to N100 billion was allotted to it and it suffered what looks like half-hearted status or what many called drain pipes to settle political backers. These and many more public sector investments that would have boosted the state economy were not realised because of political unrest in the state.”

The Guardian observed that after a heated elections in 2015 and 2019 that brought former Governor Nyesom Wike to power for his first and second tenure, the state witnessed relative infrastructural development, but suffered setbacks due to politicking, and faceoff with the opposition.

The division reared various gangs that became integral part of the ruling class, giving fibre to the politicians to unleash mayhem on their rivalries.

However, when some politicians are no longer in need of these political thugs and could no longer fund them, as well as lacking the temerity to disarm them, they turned out to become terror to the society.

However, party chieftains from both Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), who were not happy with the dictatorial nature of Wike maintained their silence to protect their interest, while some left him to pitch their tent with other parties.

Notwithstanding the heated polity, Wike successfully handed over Siminalayi Fubara, who promised to consolidate on Wike’s achievements. But he made a detour barely five months in office due to alleged overbearing interference by the former governor.

By October 30, 2023, about 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sat in a makeshift chamber, not minding the destruction of the hallowed chambers the previous night, to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.

Consequently, a parallel leadership within the House of Assembly emerged. The governor recognized Ehie’s faction as legitimate, leading to his presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill at a chamber located inside the Government House.

Amid heightened tension, some youths on October 31, marched to the factional speaker’s residence to protest. The chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, Chijioke Ihunwo alongside over 100 youths were consequently arrested by the police.

However, the crisis escalated when the state government demolished the multi-billion naira Assembly complex, which allegedly failed the integrity test due to inferno that gutted it the previous month. This added another layer to the political turmoil in the state and showed that the government was frontal to opposing the powers that be.

This necessitated the eight-point presidential peace proclamation, which did not only lay bare the issues in contention, but raised concerns among citizens that the state was about to be mortgaged.

But the governor announced that the peace agreement was not a punishment. He assured compliance with its terms. However, there are still numerous lawsuits in Abuja and Rivers.

Also, pro-Wike lawmakers have made several amendments to the laws of the Rivers State House Assembly, stripping the governor the powers to suspend council chairmen and to depose traditional rulers.

The lawmakers, notwithstanding the governor’s refusal to assent to four bills transmitted to him, saying that such amendments would create confusion and breach constitutional provisions have resolved to override his stance.

According to the lawmakers, the contentious four bills are: “Rivers State House of Assembly Fund Management Bill, Rivers State Local Government Law (Amendment) Bill, Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Law (Amendment) Bill, and Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-owned Property Prohibition (Repeal) Bill.”

The pro-Wike lawmakers petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Ehie, who resigned his membership of the House to become the Chief of Staff to Government House to have masterminded the burning of the Assembly complex on October 29, 2023 and killing of late Ahoada East Divisional Police Officer, BakoAngbashim.

There was also a gruesome killing of the chairman of Community Development Council (CDC), Mgbuoshimini Community in Rumueme kingdom, Chief Ndidi Livingstone, who was allegedly shot in his church premises on January 13, 2024 by a notorious thug popularly known as Daddy Chukwu who operates from a hideout behind the state owned Abattoir site in the same community.

The police have declared the suspect wanted since 2017 for allegedly killing over 30 people and he is yet to be arrested.

Also, there are growing cases of kidnapping, multiple car theft and other criminal activities responsible for the insecurity and free fall of the economy of the state.

Speaking on how political crisis has affected development in the state, a right activist and Leader of Future Nigeria Movement (FNM) Livingstone Wechie, said the issue of division in the polity is clear that the state has only one governor, who is Siminalayi Fubara.

He admitted that though the state, historically, has the penchant for political volatility, which has not helped but makes governance unnecessarily turbulent instead of competing for ideas for genuine sustainable development.

He said: “In 12 years, Rivers may have lost over N2 trillion public sector investments as a result of endless political turmoil. Sadly, most of the political wars have been self-serving and the biggest losers have been the citizens. The governor must prove that he is battle ready if he must succeed because the Brick House always has forces to contend with. The state cannot continue to record incalculable losses when it should be a positive reference.”

Also speaking in the same vein, a public affairs analyst and convener, Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, said when the political class is deeply polarised as seen in Rivers State presently, it often leads to a lack of consensus on crucial issues.

He said: “This has resulted in gridlock, making it difficult for Governor Fubara’s administration to formulate and implement effective policies to address insecurity and other pressing matters. The focus of political leaders have shifted to internal power struggles rather than collaborating to find solutions to challenges that affect Rivers people.”

He added that the emergence of factions within the state has also contributed to a fragmented state, expressing fear that the division may lead to having more gangs and other criminal elements, as people are already aligning themselves based on political affiliations rather than a shared commitment to the well-being of the state. Such divisions as we now see hinder social cohesion and cooperation, which are essential for development.

“Furthermore, the polarisation is sadly affecting the perception of the state by external investors and partners, deterring investment and support. The overall consequence is a compromised environment for sustainable development, as political instability and internal divisions undermine the foundations necessary for progress.

“Hence one of the crucial tasks ahead of us is to seek an avenue to address the current political polarisation in order to foster a united front in tackling insecurity and promoting effective governance for the benefit of the state and the people.

“Rivers people wake up to one harrowing news or the other on a day by day basis from the political sector and this was not the bargain. Those instigating instability must be warned that enough is enough.”

Wechie stated that politics has become an industry in the state, noting that governance cannot thrive in the face of sustained political fracas that frustrate its demographic advantages.

He however, advocated that a sustainable and lasting solution to the issue of insecurity in Rivers would necessitate a comprehensive approach that tackles the fundamental causes of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

He said this can be achieved through the implementation of long-term economic development initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for all members of society.

By investing in such initiatives, he said, the government can “create new opportunities for employment, stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation, enhance infrastructure development, and improve access to education and healthcare services while promoting social cohesion and inclusion.”