By Aladesohun Sola
The main cause of the crisis in Rivers State has allowed many people to put their own spin on the narrative. For example, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has said that the ‘fight between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara Wike is about money sharing’. Whether there is evidence backing that claim or not doesn’t matter; what’s indisputable is that the FCT Minister (Wike) is paving the way for his 2031 presidential ambition and bent on retaining the political structure he built when he was governor.
The emergency rule has assumed a new dimension, as the structure put in place by Gov. Fubara is being demolished. Administrative changes are being made by the Sole Administrator–Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas–and almost everything that has to do with Gov. Fubara is being forced into oblivion. Items reminiscent of his administration have been removed from the Government House. Commissioners, agencies, board members, chairpersons, parastatals, advisers, assistants and all lawmakers have been told to leave and a new budget is set to be introduced for the year 2025.
In addition, the new boss has revoked all pending procurement and tender processes put in place by the Governor, and further ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to return to the contractors money already collected from them under Gov. Fubara’s 2025 procurement, citing the Supreme Court’s verdict as informing his decision. Execution of new projects are underway too.
The vitality put into the dismantling and rebuilding of the political structure of the state has given room for doubt concerning the possibility of ‘smooth transition’ by the end of August 2025. Needless to say that inquisitive eyes have followed every step taken by the Administrator, meanings read into his actions and accusations of illegality and favouritism reverberate in some places.
Contrary to people’s claims, Rivers State is presently more peaceful than Norway and Greenland and its serenity the envy of Sudan and Northern Nigeria. Diobu, Emuoha, Eneka, and other strategic places in Port Harcourt lack those atmospheres that call for a state of emergency, except the protest that was stopped by the police at the Isaac Boro Park this month. More so, from Rumuola to Ahoada and Elele Alimini, everyone is going about their daily routine uninhibited, bringing up the question of under what circumstances a state of emergency is normally declared. Even if there’ll be mayhem after now, at least peace has been achieved.
The emergency rule should be appreciated since all is fair in love and war. President Tinubu’s action is in the best interests of Rivers people in particular and Nigerians in general. Although there’s an urgent need to return to the ‘status quo’ in the light of the general outcry, the President has played the reconciliatory role of handling the ‘child’ who vows that his ‘father’ won’t sleep.
With the current shake-up in Rivers State government and as far as politics is concerned, the swashbuckling FCT Minister doesn’t fight anyone for no obvious reason. Many have benefited from him who got greedy and later dumped the Minister. So, it won’t be too hard to discover that some of Gov. Fubara’s yesmen, irrespective of how shattered they are right now and simply because of what they’ll gain from the new government, are still going to line up behind Admiral Ibas. Sometimes things that we desire to grab quickly by all means are things that kill us quick.
No exemplary attributes needed in Gov. Fubara that are missing: respect, humility, calmness, patriotism, taciturnity and commitment even if loyalty is a scarce commodity in his business. Where people are fanning the ember of war, he’s proved to the world that he’s a man much attuned to peace. His hope of a strong comeback, and the peaceful protest demanding his reinstatement and which is billed to be carried out by the EndSARS group at the end of April 2025, reveal how much Nigerians love and want him.
Similarly, the FCT Minister isn’t a novice in the political arena. As a game changer whose remarkable feats in Nigeria have been greeted with big international acclaim, one wonders how terribly development would have eluded Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja if he hadn’t been around. He’s indeed cooking with gas in his federal assignment. It’s these achievement and several other initiatives by him that have brought fame and honour to Rivers State and Nigeria, of which Gov. Fubara is a citizen.
Therefore, both Gov. Fubara and the FCT Minister should review their actions and remember that Opobo/Nkoro and Obio/Akpor have long existed before they were born and their era doesn’t have to push their LGAs into extinction. As for the Sole Administrator, pathetically ubiquitous hirelings should be given a wide berth.
Politics is a toxic game that shouldn’t be allowed to polarise the players. Thus, it’ll inspire if President Tinubu could consider reinstating the ‘democratically elected’ Gov. Fubara, whilst the FCT Minister and Gov. Fubara consider apologising to each other. The fact that the year 2031 is still a long way from today and what’ll happen before that time can’t be predicted should henceforth be everyone’s philosophy.
Gov. Fubara’s suspension was undoubtedly a rude awakening that has left many Nigerians feeling bitter and really devastated. Consequently, I’m of the view that the feeling that the Governor doesn’t have a dog’s chance of taking back his office is one of déjà vu. Unless the condition that ousted him is immediately reviewed and everything follows due process, Gov. Fubara’s March 2025 commissioning of Okrika Grammar School in Okrika LGA may likely be his swansong.
In conclusion, the so-called ‘emergency rule’ in Rivers State is a misrepresentation of the image of and mishandling of the political crisis in the Treasure Base of the Nation. One thing is clear: President Tinubu has averted anarchy in the oil-rich Rivers State. But will Gov. Fubara ever reclaim his office after the six-month suspension? Well, it is not over until the fat lady sings.
• Sola wrote from Port Harcourt
