That is the question that many have asked in the aftermath of the improbable federal high court order on an issue the Supreme Court already made a pronouncement, and the IGP’s precipitate, not to say ‘over-efficient’ compliance with the order, thereby denying an oil-rich and, by extension, a very important State of the federation, the presence of the police at strategic locations to provide security cover for the State on a crucial local government election day. Is President Tinubu’s interest also served by the persistent crisis in Rivers? Or, why is he seemingly providing the FCT Minister with the arsenal in the form of the coercive power of the central government, to keep Rivers almost permanently traumatised politically? asks ADEMOLA TIJANI…
The ongoing turmoil within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State continues to attract attention, primarily due to the seemingly endless personal conflicts between the former governor, Nyesom Wike, and the current Governor, Sim Fubara. This ongoing discord has created a state of unrest within the party, raising concerns about its future and effectiveness in the region.
Despite the local government elections having taken place recently, the aftermath has not brought the anticipated resolution to these issues. Instead, the tension between Wike and Fubara remains a significant source of division, overshadowing the electoral process and creating uncertainty within the party’s ranks. As discussions and debates regarding these personal grievances persist, many are left wondering how they will affect governance and the political landscape in Rivers State moving forward.
The focus of recent news is Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has openly challenged his former mentor, the state’s ex-governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike to make a personal decision to walk back from this ceaseless that is adversely affecting parties concerned. The relationship between the two has been marked by high-wire tension, threatening the stability of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the region. Despite various attempts to mediate and resolve the conflict, all efforts have proven unsuccessful, as both key figures remain firmly entrenched in their positions. This ongoing struggle highlights the deep divisions within the party and the challenges it faces moving forward.
The State Independent Electoral Commission announced the election day shortly after some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party expressed their support for the faction led by Wike in Rivers State. Despite this, several Governors from the party also stepped up to show their backing for Governor Fubara, indicating a split in loyalty within the party.
Recognizing the potential consequences of staying in the party alongside his supporters, or perhaps following sound legal advice, Fubara made the decision to withdraw. He encouraged his supporters, as well as those aspiring to be chairmen or councillors, to obtain nomination forms under the Action People’s Party (APP), in what has been described by observers as a strategic shift in search of new political opportunities.
Despite the absence of police officers or security personnel, a fiercely determined Fubara proceeded with the election. Once the results were announced, winners celebrated while the losers began to regroup and reflect on their losses. Following the swearing-in of the new council chairmen for the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, many individuals are now wondering if they will be granted access to their local council secretariats. This concern emerged after the swearing-in ceremony held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday when violence broke loose leading to the torching of several of the local government secretariats in the oil-rich state.
Earlier, the police had announced the withdrawal of all personnel from local government secretariats hitherto sealed by the Rivers State Police Command following the controversy in July this year over tenure of the former council chairmen. While the police action was supposed to have been taken in a bid to free the secretariats for the new chairmen to step in and assume office, it provided an excuse for violence to break out at some of the secretariats between the two opposing political forces in the State, leading to loss of lives and estruction of property in some of the local council headquarters, including Ikwere, Eleme, Emohua, among others.
In a statement by Police Spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the directives to withdraw police officers from both the secretariats and from election securty, came from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
“In response to the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, has conveyed the instructions from the Inspector General for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel who were previously deployed to seal and secure the local government secretariats in the state,” the statement indicated.
While social media and traditional media have been buzzing with stories about Fubara’s triumph over his former mentor, Wike, it’s important to recognize that Wike and his supporters in the state may simply sit back and observe as Fubara and his team celebrate their victories with great enthusiasm.
The withdrawal of police forces could significantly affect the security landscape of the state. If Wike’s supporters were to react violently, seeking to create an impression of a failed state, it could lead to serious unrest. Moreover, there is the risk of retaliatory attacks from Fubara’s camp. To an observant mind, the withdrawal may seem like a strategy aimed at fostering instability within the state, and the involvement of the entire Nigerian police in this claim cannot be overlooked.
What have been the responses of the federal Government and President Tinubu, in particular, to the raging crisis? It is pertinent to note that the silence of President Tinubu to the ongoing brouhaha in the state could be seen as part of the conspiracy of the President and the Federal Government to allow Wike to have his way. When Tinubu finally reacted, calling for the police to restore order, the deed had been done: the election had already been conducted without the police anywhere in sight, elected Council Chairmen and Councillors had been sworn-in and post-election violence had taken the centre stage in almost all in Rivers! Even the IG’s response to the crisis smacked of cold complicity, why now why not then?
Keen observers would, therefore, argue that the initial directive by the IG to Rivers CP to withdraw his officers from the recently concluded council election in the state had the backing the President as the commander –in- chief of the entire security apparatus in the country. But, the question is, why would the president back the source of a crisis in a part of the country which, if unchecked, could derail the nation’s entire democratic dispensation?
That is the point that elder statesman and former member of the Board of Trustees of the former national ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, sought to make when, in his letter to the President, he warned that Tinubu would bear the consequences if he allowed Wike’s influence to go unchecked.
He also cautioned Tinubu against permitting any actions that could undermine democracy during his tenure, highlighting the importance of allowing elected officials to perform their duties without interference.
“Now that the people of Rivers State have boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by coming out to vote in the local government election on Saturday, this is the time for the former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to govern and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people,” George said.
There are allegations that Wike is leveraging federal power to seek to unseat Fubara at any cost. If chaos erupts in Rivers State now, Wike and his supporters would likely view it as a victory, as their primary goal appears to be making the state ungovernable for Fubara. As the nation watches closely, the unfolding political drama in Nigeria could set the stage for a significant struggle over control of the state leading up to the 2027 elections.
The salient points being advocated this week is for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to let democracy be sustained in the country, by not creating unnecessary political precedents in Rivers State. After all, Wike may well be reaping what he himself sowed. Because, come to think of it, he did even worse things to the person that brought him into political limelight, Rotimi Amachechi.
