It is no more news that there seems to be a raging power tussle between the Governor of Rivers state, H.E Sim Fubara, of the PDP and his predecessor, Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyensom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, over who controls the political structure of their party in the state.
This tussle is likely creating a rift between the Governor and his benefactor, thereby engulfing the entire state in a political crisis that should have been avoided.
Recall, that at the beginning of this crisis, there was a genuine concern raised by chiefs, elders and opinion leaders of Rivers state, over the turn of events. And to offer a solution,they led a delegation to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who in his wisdom and magnanimity, supritended over the resolution of the crisis.
That meeting was well attended by prominent stakeholders from the state,like former Governors, chiefs, prominent traditional Rulers,elder statesmen, chieftains of the two dominant political parties etc.
At the end,it was a joyous moment for Rivers people, when Mr President, offered a political solution, to resolve the crisis.
If only the provisions of that agreement were implemented without any suspicion, this crisis would not have escalated,as Rivers state is experiencing today.
It is worth mentioning, that the President's intervention,was a reconciliatory move, to unite his political family, as the "father" of the nation. He demonstrated deep concern over the turn of events in Rivers state, and as a father,he personally chaired the meeting ,and directed all parties to unite in the implementation of the well publicized eight point agreement.
In doing so, he was confident that " his family" will conscientiously obey his directive , devoid of constitutional and legal contensions. This was why he directed the withdrawal of pending cases, for a peaceful and amicable resolution of the crisis.
But it was surprising that the Governor(the principal beneficiary), only implemented part of the agreement and jettisoned other provisions, in what looked like an affront to Mr President.
This particular act re-invigorated the crisis, and set the stage for more legal battles, there by disregarding Mr President's directive.
Although he may have his personal reasons , but it was clear that he overlooked the fatherly intervention of Mr President, and also the goodwill extended to him by his benefactor, Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyensom Wike, who fought for his ascendency to the exalted position he is occupying today.
When Rivers people expected their Governor to keep to his word that "the Agreement was not a death sentence", and that he was going to implement to the letter, he rather disappointed everyone one, and chose a path that suggested outright disobedience to Mr President.
But assuming he had done that "sacrifice" of obeying Mr President, to fully implement the agreement,perhaps, Rivers state will not have witnessed the crisis we are going through.
Today, the state's political landscape that was once organized and peaceful is now in complete disarray.The political tension is let loosed and all "eyes and ears' are on the state for the bad reason.
The disagreement over the leadership of political structures in the state and control of power has continued unabated and now thrown Rivers state, into a state of constitutional crisis. A situation where we now have a plethora of legal cases, judgements and court orders, that contending parties give different interpretations.
Furthermore,these disagreements,have snowballed to different protests and war of words in the media.The worst being the protest that resulted in the death of security personnels, as well as destruction of properties, leaving a palpable fear of the unknown, following by utterances from political elites, and loyalists on either side of the struggle.
Even the recent judgement from the appeal court, that should have brought some respite, is still being challenged by the state Government, thereby generating more confusion in the minds of the people.
The resultant effect is that our dear state is now in the daily news for the very worst reasons, with many non- state actors, catching into the window created by this unfortunate crisis, to score cheap popularity. These actors look for every opportunity to fuel the crisis through press briefings and other inciteful utterances aimed at maligning our leaders on both ends of the tussle,and smearing the image of our state.
An example, is the calculated campaign of calumny by many non-state actors, on the persons of the Minister of the FCT, H.E Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyensom Wike,that every one seem to be confronting,and the Caretaker Chairman of the APC, Chief Tony Okocha, who has been audacious enough to offer constructive criticisms to guide the Governor to good governance .
The only exception is the fatherly advice from the former Presidential spokesperson,Dr Doyin Okupe who deferred in his perception of the crisis. In a recent interview, he described the crisis as "a misfortune" and recommended a political solution to the crisis, which is still in line with Mr President's perspective of resolving the crisis.
To me, his description of the crisis truly captures the state of affairs in the state. This is because "things seems to be falling apart" as far as the unity of the political class in our dear state is concerned. It is a misfortune that a great party like PDP, that Wike laboured to build in the state,seem to have forgotten his contributions to their party,and now joining to reject his leadership in the state.
It is had to understand that the PDP that united with the former Governor, chief Bar Ezenwo Nyensom Wike,to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the centre,and Governor Sim in the state,is today in total loggerheads ,over the tussle of leadership of their structure in the state.
How easily have they forgotten the huge support and vibrant leadership of the former Governor, that strengthened their party, and the many achievements they recorded within the eight years of that administration!
How can a faction of the leadership of PDP in the state, stay adamant to allow the rift between Gov Sim and his benefactor, Wike, to continue , without rallying round the Governor and his political father to re-unite them!
When other states of the federation are jealous that Rivers state is blessed with a vibrant and dogged Leader like Wike, a faction of Rivers state PDP is busy scheming to bring down his reputation, by supporting the Governor in the fight over the leadership in the state.
How can this faction easily forget former Governor Wike's achievements in human capital development,infrastructural renaissance, and the great role he played in the south,to galvanize support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thereby bringing Rivers state to centre!
Today,all the senatorial districts in Rivers state can boast of their people serving in various federal government parastatals, courtesy of Wike's recommendation, and 95% of these appointments are members of PDP.
Even though I am a member APC in Rivers State, I can also testify of his pedigree in terms of leadership and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers state and the nation at large. For example, in my little community of Emoh in Okpeden, Abua/Odual local Government, his footprints by way of road infrastructure, portable drinking water, and street lights are visible.
Indeed,Rivers people should be proud of Wike,and support him to play the leadership role from the state to the national,as he is demonstrating capacity every day, and also carrying everyone along, irrespective of party affiliation.
I therefore plead with our Governor to reconsider his relationship with his benefactor,and reconcile his party with their god father,who is now Leader of the political infantry in Rivers state.
I recall giving this advice earlier in my open letter, to the Governor in February, and I have repeated it here because of the clamour for a peaceful resolution of this crisis.
It is my suggestion therefore ,that it is not late for the PDP and the entire political class, including various opinion Leaders, to go back to the round table, to revisit the political solution of Mr President.
My special appeal is that H.E. Governor Sim and the entire political class should revisit that political solution, just as Dr Doyin Okupe also recommended, to re-unite all factions in this imbroglio,to end the crisis.
It is time for the Governor to reassemble all stakeholders and opinion leaders towards a wholistic resolution and implementation of that political solution to end the problem in our state.
Here are my suggestions on the way to that resolution :
1)Meeting with the Minister of FCT: It is my appeal that our Governor look beyond sentiments and take a step to meet his benefactor, and political mentor, for a total personal reconciliation, irrespective of the disagreement. He should not jettison their long standing relationship of father and son for 16 years. His Excellency, the Governor should remember that Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyensom Wike, meant well in supporting him, as well as the president of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; by so doing, he means well for Rivers state and the entire South. He is today playing a prominent leadership role at the National, for his benefit and the entire Rivers people. Today, many Rivers sons and daughters are at the centre, courtesy of Wike's recommendation. Moreso, the performance of the Minister is bringing unprecedented accolades and promoting Rivers state in the comity of states.
2) Assemble All Political Elites: It is imperative that His Excellency reassembles all the stakeholders in this crisis, to discuss the way forward, especially from the PDP his party and the main opposition party, the APC. He should recall that during the elections, both parties united to vote him to power, and if there are disagreements, the best option is to foster unity and synergy of purpose. He should not create an enmity because he is indeed the Governor of all. In as much as people are bold enough to criticize, such criticisms are geared towards challenging him for better performance
3) Engage the Traditional Rulers , Other Senior Citizens and the Youth: It is necessary for the Governor to carry along the traditional rulers and other major stakeholders, in his resolution of the crisis, and dowse the tension in the land. There is the need to disabuse their minds from the ethnic undertones that the crisis generated. There should be genuine reconciliation of all opposing factions for the good of the state.
4) Unconditional Withdrawal of All Litigations: In the spirit of unity and total reconciliations, His Excellency should embrace all parties and resolve to withdraw all cases in various courts
5) Revisiting Mr. President: After these genuine engagements and total reconciliations, it is absolutely necessary to revisit Mr. President to reappraise the situation and agree on a wholistic resolution to end the crisis.
Finally, I believe that this crisis has lingered, and it has not done the state any good. As the government struggles each day to defend the illegalities ,lawlessness and confusion, it exposes the state and her leaders to more ridicule in the comity of states. It is my appeal that the voice of opposition which is prominent from the APC, should not be misconstrued to be personal attacks on the system. It is rather intended to critic the Leaders to spur them to provide good governance to the people .
In the final analysis, I see a no victor, no vanquished fight, and Rivers state under the watch of the Governor, to be free from this crisis.
The time to act is now.
"No sacrifice is too great for peace to reign in our state"~~~ His Excellency, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS,KSC
Dr. Godpower Egbono
Former APC - PCC Member & Leader APC,Abua/Odual LGA Caucus
Writing from PH
Tags
Opinion