Sleeping in the neighbourhood where a house is on fire is dangerous. It is in this regard that I request the urgent intervention of Mr. President on the recent crises that engulfed River State.
River is one of the very important state in Nigeria. It is also one of the oil and gas-rich Niger-Delta states, which hosts the Nigerian headquarters of major international oil companies.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers had engaged in a free-for-fight in the last one week which shows the extent of the desperation of politicians to control power and stay in governance by all means. 27 legislators elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party had announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress. In what appears to be a twist, Governor Fubara responded by demolishing the state’s House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt for “renovation.” These developments look scary and, may lead to anarchy in Rivers if not tamed immediately.
The Genesis of the issue dates back to October 2023 when Rivers lawmakers reportedly loyal to Nyesom Wike, the political godfather who had facilitated Fubara’s emergence, commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and the majority leader, Edison Ehie. Before the move blossomed, however, unknown thugs set fire to the HoA complex overnight.
During an inspection tour of the complex the following day, security agents fired teargas at Fubara’s entourage. There are now two factions in the assembly, one headed by Ehie, a Fubara believer, and Martin Amaewhule, leader of the defectors.
Earlier, Fubara had won a reprieve after an intervention by PDP governors and elders, who asked the gladiators to sheathe their swords. On Monday, the truce collapsed after the 27 lawmakers defected. Unconvincingly, they cited a crisis in the PDP.
The reason for the crises can’t be more than the resistance of Fubara to recognize the influence of H.E Wike, Former governor of Rivers between 2015 and 2023 and the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The emergence of Fubara has shown that Wike wanted to retain influence in the state. These are personal preoccupations that should have nothing to do with governance. Unfortunately,report has it that Former Governor Wike bought form for Governor Fubara,the lawmakers and people holding important positions so as to remain their godfather. If this is true,future gestures should be discouraged. Governace should be about service and nothing more.
The move by 27 lawmakers to quit PDP is ill-timed and they should automatically lose their parliamentary seats, aside from the two was said to have returned.
It is sickening to hear about the presentation N800 billion 2024 budget for approval to only five out of the 32-member HoA at a “plenary.” This is bad. Effective representation from constituencies absent is totally unacceptable as people who voted them in have been denied input in the budget presentation.
It is therefore necessary that President Tinubu should immediately wade into the current anomaly happening in Rivers and if need be call Former Governor Wike and current Governor fubara to order. Delay maybe dangerous.
Tosin Adesile writes from Lagos,Nigeria.