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  • ‘How to resolve Rivers crisis’

    ‘How to resolve Rivers crisis’

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose spoke on the protracted political crisis in Rivers State and how the face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike can be resolved. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

    What is your reaction to the face-off between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike?

    In my meeting with Fubara, I said to him, Your Excellency, Governor Fubara, you’re here by the grace of your brother, the former governor and today you are the governor of the Rivers State. I was able to remind him that it’s better for him to seal all his windows because patronizers will soon come. People who lead people astray will soon come; seal your door, don’t wait for people to come by and say things to your ears that will destroy your relationship with Wike.

    I further admonished him that in the first four years and ultimately for eight years; if you open these doors, you’ll begin to see spirits and don’t follow a trend and fight with Wike because if you do so, by Wike’s antecedents, these problems will continue indefinitely. It’s quick to forget what life is all about.

    I was a different person during my first term as governor. The youthful exuberance of getting yourself can put you into so many troubles. It doesn’t have to be said it’s spiritual but it’s an advance warning. Also, by telling him that there’s a window, there’s an ample opportunity for you to close this and solve this problem.

    The price for peace is cheaper than the consequences of war. If you don’t do it, it’ll only be left in the hands of God because you can’t take away the powers of the House of Assembly. During my first tenure, I inherited the House of Assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State because our election is the off-season election. It was a tough experience. They would have taken me out the second time. I had to use wisdom, carrot and stick. I had to manage everybody for me to survive.

    While is Wiike not concentrating on his job in Abuja and leaving Fubara alone?

    May I say this to you, and to Nigerians. That’s always the beginning. You brought up your child. And somebody says, he wants to marry your daughter. If you have left that girl untrained, ordinary carpenters and people who have no capacity will be chasing her. A man who wants to marry must have capacity. Life is level by level. God has graduated this life like a pyramid.

    The governors, the minister, everybody is at a level. You can’t tell me that a man who is down the ladder wants to marry a queen somewhere

    They will tell him that he doesn’t have the capacity. Let’s go back to the issues. Everybody must have helped everybody in life. But God himself says he hates ingratitude.

    I will only fight with what I have left. You can’t sack Wike from Rivers politics. You can’t sack me from Ekiti politics. I’m not supposed to say what I want to say to you now but I’ll say it to you. This is about equity in politics. I was in this house three years ago.

    The current governor of Ekiti State is of the APC extraction. I’m of the PDP. He told me that he would want to visit. He came here and sat on the chair and said, I want to beg you to come to my support.

    I want you to stand by me in this government. I didn’t go to him. He’s the governor. To him, I still have hands and legs everywhere in the state. Yes, I’m not the governor but that’s a path of wisdom.

    I was taken off my feet. I said to him, whoever has taught you this, has taught you the right thing. And if it’s the leading of God, you’re well led. I’ll give you my support. When the governor was having issues in APC, I stood my ground. I went to Tinubu and said: This is the man that has won the election.

    The governor is doing well. My own position is always clear. Whether Fubara or my governor; all of them got their strength from other people. Like I said, there are a lot of issues between godfathers, and godsons in most states. But it’s wisdom that guides the sitting governor.

    Look at Kogi. Why are they not having issues in the state? Why is the governor of Kogi being very humble? Whatever you say about Yahaya Bello, he doesn’t want to hear it.

    Whenever anybody comes to say something to him about Yahaya Bello, he remembers the day Yahaya Bello gave him that platform. And I told my governor, whatever former Governor Kayode Fayemi must have done to you, remember the day he gave you that platform. Don’t say ill of him. I cooperated with him and he thanked me for such advice.

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    The national chairman and secretary of the APC have both said that Fubara is the leader of the party in the state, but Wike says the governor cannot be the leader of the party. Who is the leader?

    When I was governor; if I’m coming, the traditional rulers, the leaders of thought and people that matter in the state will get up. They will rise up and say ‘the governor is here.’ And nothing is called to order except the governor is seated.

    That’s in the office. That’s the difference between the office and 001. What brought about 001? Who gave Fubara the platform to be calling himself 001? Wike gave him the platform. It is a sad narrative for Governor Fubara to be struggling. It is a sad story for my governor to be fighting Fayemi.

    Rather, he should manage the situation. You see, Ekiti people said that those who give you life are the fathers of those who give you money. The person that prevents you from dying is the father of the person that gives you wealth because if you have no life in the first instance, wealth will not come.

    Who is Governor Fubara? I respect him as a governor. A governor goes before the people and prostrate. As a governor, I would go to certain places and prostrate. Did it take anything away from me? Even if Wike says he’s the leader, it’s not for Governor Fubara to be contesting that with him. You didn’t know about Fubara three years ago. You never heard about Fubara three years ago.

    I was supporting Austin Opara. I was sitting by Governor Wike to mull his opinion to support Austin Opara towards the time of the election. In the car, when I was asking who the candidate was, Wike told me ‘Fayose, I know where you belong and I’m not going that way. I’m going to Fubara.’ I never knew Fubara. Let’s call a spade a spade.

    Who is the governor? The governor is the creation of some people. He’s the creation and influence of some people, Wike is the major influence that led to the emergence of Fubara as governor.

    Do you think that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention will make any difference this time aroubd?

    I want to advise Governor Fubara again, Please, Governor Fubara, I’m begging you, go and make an end to this crisis. Your wife can only tell you, after all, I’ve said sorry to you.

    Is that an apology? My wife can tell me, I’ve said sorry to you. How many times will I say sorry to you? There’s what we call in Yoruba, I’m saying it just for me to have peace, not because I want to show remorse.

    Those people are misleading Governor Fubara but if he goes down today, they’ll run away. People who were saying I should fight back in those days, they were not there when I was isolated and when I was alone. That’s all I will say. In this current situation, the President that I know hates ingratitude. The President that I know controls Lagos from the palms of his hands.

    For instance, the Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly was impeached and somebody else took over. The President, without saying a word, caused the system to restore that speaker because it’s an affront to the President, who’s the leader there. Do you want to tell me that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the leader in Lagos?

    Let him announce it. Let Governor Sanwo-Olu come out and say ‘I’m the leader in Lagos.’ There are certain things that are said to cause aesthetics. Don’t let it get into your head.

    The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara. By now, he would have been history because the moment you’re impeached, you’re out of the way.

    You can’t contest. If you read the text of President Tinubu, it took Governor Fubara to the cleaners. So, it’s time for Governor Fubara to learn the way I learnt after my first tenure. And let me explain to you: Will the President remove the office of the lawmakers; will he say the lawmakers cannot do their assignments? I don’t think so.

    How would you be running a government without sending names of appropriate people for clearance with the House of Assembly? How would you be spending public funds? Even if it’s for a photo-trick, it’s supposed to follow due process. These are matters of the constitution. The constitution gave Rivers people the power as members of the House of Assembly.

    Where does this leave the people of Rivers State; the people who voted?

    They should wait for another time to vote. Americans have conceded their powers to President Donald Trump. Trump is using his powers today. For them to say a word about Trump, they should go back to an election.

    And may I say to you, the same people of Rivers State voted for their House of Assembly members. They’ve transmitted their powers to that House of Assembly. And let me run that up for you to tell you very clearly.

    I’m not here to tell you the people of Rivers State are with Fubara or with Wike but I’ll not tell you they’re with Fubara. Wike has been going around, drawing crowd. Fubara has the resources of his state, let him go around too. People who have power of creation can have power of taking out. And to the House of Assembly, they have a mandate.

    No matter the narrative, the House of Assembly removed me in Ekiti. Whichever hand is behind it, that time, it was President Olusgeun Obasanjo’s hand, it was a lot of elite’s

    hand, but they accomplished it. I was removed; I became history, and went on exile. If not for God, I wouldn’t have returned.

    Is Nigeria sliding into a one-party state?

    I have said that I have always supported President Tinubu even when I was a sitting governor. I was part of the G5 that supported him. I was one of those who told Governor Wike to stay with Tinubu against Atiku who is not a promise keeper, he’ll come back for you when he wins the election.

    By the grace of God I was among the people who went to Port Harcourt with Fayemi, late Rotimi Akeredolu, Sanwo-Olu and about two other people to consummate the relationship.

    There was no time that we admitted that it was our fault that caused the exodus. We must be honest. When you’re weak, tendencies are there for you to fall in front of the stronger side.

    The challenges in the PDP are not the fault of Tinubu. How many out of about eight governors who have defected have you seen a trace of oppression, suppression, like we’re saying? Money was given to Governor Seyi Makinde. Remember that Oyo is a PDP state; it’s not an APC state. So, in what way was he suppressed? They had issues with their own party. And as governors, they want to survive at all costs.

    They took that path. It’s not their fault, probably not, but let me help you to round it up. There are two dominant parties at a given time. Are we saying the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not dominant? Recently, Peter Obi moved into to the party, and I’ve said it, Obi is the life in the ADC. I’ve never said the other people there are not human beings. I’m saying they are likely spent forces.

    Let Obi not go to ADC, let Obi go to another party, you will see the effect. Let’s say Obi is in Accord, the party would become alive, I’m saying that Obi is the only traction, Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor, Obi is the only person in the ADC that matters. And if Obi had not gone to ADC, you would have seen the difference.

    When Obi went to Labour Party, the Labour Party that would never have won elections had members in the National Assembly and so on. I’m not saying Obi will win the election. I’m not saying Obi will not win this election, but I’m telling you, if ADC fails to field Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together.

  • PANDEF peace committee gets two weeks to submit report on Rivers crisis

    PANDEF peace committee gets two weeks to submit report on Rivers crisis

    The high-level peace and reconciliation committee established by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to address the Rivers State political crisis has been given two weeks to submit its report, The Nation has learnt.

    PANDEF’s national chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali, announced the timeline on Monday during the inauguration of the committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

    The seven-member committee is tasked with resolving the escalating tensions between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly.

    Igali said the committee must produce and submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations within 14 days, aimed at guiding Rivers State toward stability and contributing to broader national cohesion.

    He also noted that both FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara automatically qualify as members of the PANDEF Board of Trustees by virtue of their positions, adding that they will formally assume those roles once they leave office. All former governors of South-South states, he added, are also automatic BOT members.

    Inaugurating the committee, His Royal Majesty King Alfred Papapraye Diete-Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, said the crisis is resolvable and urged both parties to prioritise peace for the unity of the state and the region.

    Under its terms of reference, the committee is expected to identify key actors in the crisis, consult relevant stakeholders, and initiate dialogue between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “Fully identifying the main actors in the crisis between the Governor and the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    “Reaching out to other critical players, especially the Minister of the FCT, other former Governors, elders, traditional rulers, and top political leaders.

    “Facilitating Dialogue, especially by encouraging open communication between Governor Fubara and the State House of Assembly, to address grievances and work towards a peaceful resolution.

    “Recommending steps to restoring reconciliation and Stability.

    “Finding ways to restore law and order in Rivers State, ensuring the welfare and safety of citizens.

    “Encouraging tolerance, compromise, and political balance among. Stakeholders to prevent further escalation.

    “Ensuring that any resolution respects the democratic will of the people and adherence to constitutional norms.

    “Ensuring that sensitive information shared during the reconciliation process is kept confidential to foster trust and facilitate open dialogue.

    “Consulting Stakeholders: Engaging with all stakeholders, leaders, and groups directly or indirectly involved or impacted by the crisis to gather perspectives to sustainable peace building consensus.”

    Agabi, who spoke on behalf of members of the committee, assured the PANDEF Board that the committee will do everything possible to ensure success.

    He said they hid the call of the 97-year-old traditional rulers to mediate in the crisis.

    He noted that the political crisis in Rivers State had lingered for too long. 

    He, however, stressed that the “Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment over the parties. We have no competence to do so. Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another, and we now do so. We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation. We urge them, we beg them, we appeal to them. Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.

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    “We are appointed to explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end. This crisis has persisted for too long. If it continues any further, it will call into question the commitment of the parties involved to the interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation that is compelled to share in the pains and anxieties of that State.

    “We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side, as Rivers state, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation, struggles with issues of political power.

    “The resolution of this matter is something that the parties can handle themselves without the intervention of third parties. They must be willing to go the extra mile with one another, to turn the other cheek, and to pray for one another. Let them not dismiss this as weak or sentimental, as we often do when the name of the Lord is mentioned in politics or economics.

    “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation.

    “Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators, whoever we are, it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions. Whether we are servants or slaves, it is the Lord that we serve. And it is to him that we shall, in the end, render an account. We urge the parties to proceed with caution. We urge them to make allowance for error. We appeal to them to proceed with a prayer for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong.”

    Speaking of the three major actors in the crisis, Agabi said, “The Minister, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, is my friend. He is my benefactor. He is a man I love. He is a man I respect. I bear witness to his courage and patriotism. The work he did as Governor of Rivers State and the work he is doing as Minister of the FCT have since immortalized him. The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation.”

    For the governor, he said, “I say the same thing about His Excellency Governor Fubara. I happen to have been a member of the team that defended the petition that arose from his election as governor. That is my bond with him. I trust him to respect that bond.”

    He added, “In a nation as diverse as ours, discordant voices will be heard from time to time. In the midst of those discordant voices, the President can be trusted to recognize the clear ring of truth when he hears it.

    “That is the whole essence of the Presidential system in vesting the president with all executive power, which he is trusted to exercise in order to calm the nation down.”

    For the legislators, Agabi said, “We have great respect for the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State, and we have no doubt whatsoever that their motives are genuine and patriotic. We pray for a change of heart on their part. It is in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed that they will demonstrate their restraint, their public spirit, and their maturity.”

    He also warned that both parties cannot afford to be like the Clam and Oyster.

    He said, “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster, which left their abode in the depths of the sea and came to the sea shore to fight. They went on fighting even when they saw the fisherman coming. The fisherman picked them up, took them home, and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the clam and the oyster.

    “We trust that the Lord will touch the hearts of those to whom we address our appeal for peace and reconciliation. It is our firm conviction that this matter can be resolved amicably.

    “That conviction is rooted in the fact that the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one. They played significant roles in assisting one another to the various offices that they hold now. If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”

  • Rivers crisis: Fubara, Amaewhule other lawmakers meet

    Rivers crisis: Fubara, Amaewhule other lawmakers meet

    • National Assembly steps in

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule may have returned to the dialogue table, it was learnt yesterday.

    The two top officials and other lawmakers have been on suspension since March 18, following the proclamation of Emergency Rule in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stem the escalating political crisis in the state.

    The President appointed former Naval Chief Vice Admiral lbok-Ete Ibas for the first six months as an administrator to allow the warring politicians to reconcile their differences.

    Multiple sources confirmed last night that the meeting held and ended with Fubara and Amaewhule holding hands and cracking jokes.

    The meeting came in the wake of a promise yesterday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the National Assembly was ready to step in to resolve the Rivers political logjam.

    It was gathered that the meeting, which was held in Abuja, was the first reconciliatory move between the governor and the state lawmakers.

    A source told The Nation in confidence that Fubara’s engagement with the lawmakers was fruitful, adding that an enlarged reconciliation meeting would follow to discuss peace terms.

    “The suspended governor is determined to make peace. He has started the real engagement,” the source said.

    Though Fubara had met with his estranged benefactor and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and President Tinubu on the Rivers stalemate, yesterday’s meeting with the lawmakers was said to be the most important step towards genuine reconciliation.

    Wike had said several times that to actualise a genuine reconciliation, Fubara must meet with the various stakeholders he allegedly offended, especially the House of Assembly members, whose salaries were not paid for over two years.

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    It was found that yesterday’s development elicited applauses from various stakeholders in the state, including the family of Fubara, with many of them describing it as a step in the right direction.

    National Assembly steps in

    Akpabio, who represented the President at the inauguration of the Kugbo Taxi and Bus Terminal yesterday in Abuja, assured of National Assembly’s commitment to resolving the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.

    He said the National Assembly would play a key role in restoring political stability and peace in the state, emphasising that sustained efforts were underway to address the root causes of the crisis and foster reconciliation among the stakeholders.

    “We are determined to ensure that normalcy returns to Rivers State. The National Assembly will work closely with all parties involved to ensure lasting peace and progress for the people,” Akpabio said.

    Wike took a swipe a former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over the latter’s claim of leading a Spartan lifestyle and not given to luxury like his contemporaries.

    The minister said the glorious days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and how he had joined a delegation to Anambra State where their host served them Cristal Brut (an expensive brand of champagne).

    Urging politicians to practise what they preach, Wike said: “I will tell you something. When PDP had no problem, we went to Anambra state for a gubernatorial campaign, and when we finished that campaign, we went to somebody’s house. I just sat down. Come and see the best of drinks, this and that. So, I called him, I said you are providing crystal champagne here but every day, you tell people that you wear only one shoe, you carry your bag, only you. But look at the champagne here. Not just champagne, crystal.

    “Why do we deceive Nigerians? Why can’t we tell ourselves the simple truth? What you preach is not what you practice. And you know, we like to hear such things, but that is being deceitful.

    “And these are the kind of things that I tell Nigerians, look, don’t allow people to deceive you. People who are preaching that they care for you, they don’t care for you, they don’t think about you. They only try to use you to climb.

    “We must learn. We must see those who are sincere, who are faithful, who say, we will do this, and we will do it. Yes, there could be some challenges.

    “And that’s a sense of leadership. Nobody, no leader, can succeed without taking the decision. We have challenges. No leader can succeed without taking the decision that people will say something.”

  • Senate resumes to begin work on Tax Reform Bills, Rivers crisis, insecurity, others

    Senate resumes to begin work on Tax Reform Bills, Rivers crisis, insecurity, others

    The passage of the Tax Reform Bills, reconciliation of the warring parties in Rivers State and how to tackle the resurgence of Boko Haram in the Northeast are on top of the agenda of the Senate as it resumes from the Eid-el-Fitri and Easter holidays.

    The Red Chamber said it will also continue work on constitution review and the amendment of the Electoral Act.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    He said: “As scheduled, the National Assembly will resume plenary today, (May 6, 2025), to continue with the pursuit of the mandate of the electorate.

    “First on our agenda is the further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024. Its passage has become imperative to reform the country’s tax regime and shore up the revenue of the federation.

    “This will also help governments at all levels to implement projects and deliver the dividends of democracy.

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    “As we resume back, the Senate will work with the Executive to resolve all the lingering socio-political issues across the federation, including the situation in Rivers State.

    “The essence is to ensure that all stakeholders come to terms on the need to address the root causes of those issues and ensure proper reconciliation of all key actors in the overriding public interest.

    “The recent resurgence of insecurity in different parts of the federation, especially Benue, Borno, Katsina, and Plateau, has caught our attention.

    “As the foremost democratic institution that makes laws for the peace, order and good government of the federation, the Senate will speed engagement with key actors in the security sector and come up with mechanisms for the effective management of national security.

    “We are committed to putting an end to all acts of terrorism across the federation.”

    Bamidele said the Senate would also screen the nominees President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed during the National Assembly’s recess.

    “While the Senate was in recess, the Presidency announced a number of appointments, including the management of the South-South Development Commission.

    “On this ground, we will be screening nominees of the President for different appointments that require the approval of the Senate.

    “The review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is going on steady. Now that we have resumed, the Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jubrin, will speed up the review process with a view to strengthening our federal structure in the interest of all.

    “Likewise, the Senate will kick-start the review of the Electoral Act, 2022, for the conduct of a more credible and transparent election.

    “Finally, we have Bills of strategic national interest that are pending before the Senate on different sectors of the economy.

    “There is an urgent need to consider those Bills and ensure their passage expeditiously.

    “We will also encourage our special and standing committees to put in place public hearings that will give us the opportunity to engage with the electorate on various aspects of law-making and give their own inputs.”

  • Senate to prioritise tax reforms, Rivers crisis, Boko Haram resurgence as plenary resumes

    Senate to prioritise tax reforms, Rivers crisis, Boko Haram resurgence as plenary resumes

    As the National Assembly resumes plenary on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, following the Easter and Sallah break, the Senate is set to prioritise key national issues including the passage of tax reform bills, the resolution of the Rivers political crisis, and strategies to combat the renewed Boko Haram threat in parts of the North East.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele made this known in a statement issued in Abuja, outlining the legislative focus for the coming weeks.

    “First on our agenda is the further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024,” Bamidele said, adding that the passage of the bills is crucial to overhauling the country’s tax system and boosting federal revenue.

    He also highlighted other pressing matters, such as the constitutional review process and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, as top priorities when lawmakers return to the chambers.

    “This will also help governments at all levels to implement projects and deliver the dividends of democracy.

    “As we resume, the Senate will work with the Executive to resolve all the lingering socio-political issues across the federation, including the situation in Rivers State.

    “The essence is to ensure that all stakeholders come to terms on the need to address the root causes of those issues and ensure proper reconciliation of all key actors in the overriding public interest.

    “The recent resurgence of insecurity in different parts of the federation, especially Benue, Borno, Katsina, and Plateau, has caught our attention.

    “As the foremost democratic institution that makes laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Federation, the Senate will speed engagement with key actors in the security sector and come up with mechanisms for the effective management of national security.

    Read Also: Northeast govs urge united front against Boko Haram resurgence

    “We are committed to putting an end to all acts of terrorism across the federation.”

    He said the Senate would also screen nominations for appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the National Assembly recess.

    “While the Senate is in recess, the Presidency announced a number of appointments, including the management of the South-South Development Commission.

    “On this ground, we will be screening nominees of the President for different appointments that require the approval of the Senate,” he said

    He added: “The review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is going on steadily. Now that we have resumed, the Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jubrin, will speed up the review process to strengthen our federal structure in the interest of all.

    “Likewise, the Senate will kick-start the review of the Electoral Act, 2022, for the conduct of a more credible and transparent election.

    “Finally, we have bills of strategic national interest that are pending before the Senate on different sectors of the economy.

    “There is an urgent need to consider those bills and ensure their passage expeditiously.

    “We will also encourage our special and standing committees to put in place public hearings that will allow us to engage with the electorate on various aspects of law-making and give their own inputs.”

  • Reconciliation in Rivers

    Reconciliation in Rivers

    Six months in the life of an individual, state, or country could be considered a short period. But how the period is utilised may have far-reaching implications for a long time.

    The emergency rule in Rivers State is meant to make the main gladiators assess their actions and work for peace and unity. It also offers a good opportunity for learning, retracing steps, working for the state’s progress, and general reconciliation.

    Learning from the political impasse is necessary. It requires behavioural change through varied experiences, exposure, and lessons.

    If the opportunity is willfully misused, inappropriately exploited or stubbornly discarded, based on the counsel of local Ahitophels in the oil-rich state, Rivers may be back to square one after the emergency period.

    The onus is on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take the initiative, embrace reality, weigh himself politically, do a critical self-assessment, and opt for genuine reconciliation. It is in his interest and that of his camp and the state.

    This moment calls for sober reflection. Both sides, which constituted a political family and were in a joyous mood on May 29, 2023, have made glaring mistakes and must have realised this by now.

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    While the governor should be less combative, his leader, godfather, and benefactor, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyeson Wike, should be less inflexible and more condescending. A prolonged war could be dangerous. In the final analysis, nobody can predict where it will end. The nature of war is that, sometimes, it also tends to consume the warriors.

    If both sides are sincere in their claims that they are serving the people, they should be ready to embrace dialogue, give concessions, and restore peace for the sake of the masses.

    Some critics have blamed the Federal Government for the critical intervention that led to the suspension of both the Executive and Legislative arms. Their criticisms are subjective. They are angry that Fubara was suspended. They are not sparing any thought for the plight of the 27 anti-governor lawmakers, whose constituencies were denied democratic representation. They uncritically took sides with the governor and the three lawmakers who, for over a year, made themselves the legally and constitutionally recognised House of Assembly.

    Already, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors are threatening to institute a case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, perhaps to determine the rightness or wrongness of the presidential action. The court will determine whether or not they have the locus standi.

    However, to objective analysts, an emergency rule is a blessing in disguise. It was the saving grace for Fubara. No member of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) wanted the career of their Rivers colleague to end on a disastrous note. Yet, they saw the danger coming, as manifested in the impeachable offences catalogued by the aggrieved 27 lawmakers who remained fiercely loyal to the former governor and the FCT minister.

    The lawmakers were strengthened by the Supreme Court judgment, which decried the recognition of only three members out of 30, the demolition of the Parliament building, the constitution of an illegal state executive council (Exco), and the implementation of an illegitimately approved budget.

    These issues and many others sparked tension in the state. The impeachment of the governor would not have been a walkover. Some unperceptive tough guys would have been angered if the impeachment option had sailed though. Perhaps, they might have taken the law into their hands by vandalising oil pipes, invading the temporary legislative chambers, and creating chaos. At such a stage, President Tinubu would have also come under criticism for inaction.

    Thus, when the President imposed an emergency rule, those who genuinely sympathised with Fubara in the NGF heaved a sigh of relief. They understood that the dangling axe of impeachment had been averted, a large-scale economic sabotage was prevented and the state’s slide into chaos was forestalled.

    The emergency rule has exposed Fubara to the two sides of the world. Before the presidential action, he was an effective governor with strong control over the state, incredible resources, governance apparatus, and instruments of coercion. But now on suspension, he gazes from afar at Administrator Ibok Ibas exercising part of those powers, even though as an unelected chief executive in the same Rivers Government House. During the week, Ibas took his seat at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.

    Gone, at least in the interim, are Fubara’s influence, privileges, and guarantee of institutional access to financial resources. Many subjective advisers are not bearing the brunt and burden of his suspension.

    He would only find solace in the fact that the political nightmare is temporary. The question is: what next after the emergency rule? The suspended governor needs to take some concrete steps. He is not expected to be combative in the course of finding solutions to the problems that culminated in his suspension.

    A hypocritical approach to reconciliation is counter-productive. In one breath, Fubara’s supporters are praising President Tinubu and declaring support for his second term. In another, they are denouncing his decision on Rivers, calling him a dictator.

    Fubara’s supporters have the right to continue their protest. It is both entertaining and engaging. Salvos are fired at the president and the FCT minister in far-away Abuja. The governor’s supporters are also not respecting the judiciary whenever they appear on radio and television. Would this lead to a truce in the politically divided state?

    Without dialogue and reconciliation, the state sits on a keg of gunpowder because the two camps will resume their hostilities after the emergency period. This is the type of tragedy that befell the old Western Region in the First Republic. The traditional rulers and party elders took sides after efforts to resolve the Awolowo/Akintola feud collapsed. After the emergency rule, Premier Samuel Ladoke Akintola regained power. But the region had lost its cohesion and peace. Awolowo was jailed. Akintola never had peace of mind. The chain of events led to the wild, wild West. Many people died. Properties were destroyed. The rest, as it is often said, is history.

    The onus is on the elders backing Fubara and those supporting Wike to sheathe their swords, close ranks, and reunite. This is possible because many of them reside in the state and belong to the same party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The suspended governor should not be averse to this approach because it would help his cause.

    Fubara and Wike should meet and break the ice. Every political problem has a solution. Perceived disloyalty brews dissension and dissension sparks antagonism. It is important to embrace loyalty. This is often tested by circumstances. But it is still the most important recipe for political relationships.

    Sometimes, in the course of applying the solution, a huge loss might arise. It could also be a temporary loss of face. But mutual interest could align later. There is no permanent friend or foe in politics. The permanent thing in politics is interest.

    Politicians should always put egos aside and apologise when they make mistakes. A sincere apology should not be perceived as a sign of weakness. A gesture of remorse or an apology tendered should not be rejected by the political leader. Every human being is susceptible to mistakes.

    In politics, punishment is apportioned. The person under punishment should not see it as the end. In this circumstance, he could bounce back to reckoning, following attitudinal changes and remission of political sins.

    Politics is full of ups and downs. It may be rosy today and dull tomorrow. There is no shame in a man falling. What is important is how you rise and use the lessons from the experience.

  • Rivers crisis and the perils of unwisdom

    Rivers crisis and the perils of unwisdom

    There are those who have sought to draw parallels between Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa’s declaration of a State Of Emergency in the Western Region in the First Republic and the dissolution of the region’s democratic institutions and President Bola Tinubu’s similar action this week to address the obvious drift to anarchy in Rivers State where a debilitating political crisis had festered paralyzing governance for the better part of the last one and a half years. However, it is not a particularly accurate attempt at establishing historical equivalence.

    The State of Emergency imposed on the Western Region by the ruling Northern Peoples Congress (NPC)/National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) coalition at the centre was a premeditated and calculated plan by the federal government to obstruct, disrupt and dismantle democratic governance in the West, dislodge the ruling Action Group (AG) in the region, politically castrate the leader of the AG, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who as Leader of the Opposition was perceived as an implacable thorn in the flesh of the ruling federal coalition and impose on the region a servile leadership more amenable to external control and manipulation.

    Thus, it was not the declaration of the State of Emergency in 1962 that instigated the widespread violence and unrest (operation wetie) that engulfed the Western Region and ultimately resulted in the collapse of the First Republic but rather the brazen rigging of the 1964 Western Regional elections that sought to foist the unpopular SLA Akintola-led Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) on the people. In the Western Region, there was no breakdown of law and order anywhere in the region that prompted Balewa’s action but an instigated fracas by the minority in the Western Regional House of Assembly to prevent the majority from exercising its constitutional right to remove the Premier, Chief SLA Akintola, from office and appoint a new Premier. Balewa’s action in the West was the equivalent of a coup de tat which President Tinubu’s intervention in the continuously degenerating crisis in Rivers State could by no means be described as being.

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    In Rivers State, the protracted crisis between the immediate past governor of the state and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Sir Similayi Fubara, had resulted in the criminal demolition of the premises of the state legislature to prevent the suspected planned impeachment of the governor, the consequent incapacitation of the legislature, the running of the affairs of the state with four out of 32 legislators, the holding of local government elections in defiance of a court order all culminating in the Supreme Court judgement of Friday, February 28, that stripped the Fubara government of any veneer of legitimacy.

    In the aftermath of the apex court decision, the majority faction of the legitimated Assembly initiated moves to commence the impeachment of Fubara and his Deputy which elicited threats by some militant ethnic-based groups to unleash violence in the state including the sabotage and crippling of the country’s vital oil pipelines. Governor Fubara himself had earlier, during the commissioning of a project, asked youths in the state to be calm and wait for instructions which would be given at the appropriate time. A few hours before President Tinubu declared the State of Emergency and suspended the executive and legislative arms of government, there had been explosions on at least two critical oil pipelines in the state and with no record of the governor as Chief Security Officer of the State warning against such actions or even convening a security council meeting to deliberate on strategies to contain the situation and prevent further deterioration.

    It is needless here to join the now largely academic debate on whether or not the President should have acted preemptively to avoid a descent to anarchy or the appropriateness of suspending democratic structures when declaring a State Of Emergency when a conflict between the executive and legislature in the state is central to the crisis.

    At the root of the crisis that has resulted in the unfortunate paralysis of democracy in Rivers State at least for the next six months in the first instance, is the self-sabotaging unwisdom of the contending individuals and groups in the politics of the state and this is not a characteristic that is peculiar to Rivers State. Rather, it is a feature of the political behaviour and culture of Nigeria’s political class across time and space which has led to debilitating systemic breakdowns at various times in the country’s political evolution.

    There is no doubt that the verdict of the Supreme Court amounted in reality to a decisive and massive victory for the pro-Wike forces in their battle with Fubara for the control of the soul of Rivers State. But was it a sign of wisdom or even strategic astuteness for them to have continued to push for the impeachment of the governor when they had him practically trapped and at their mercy? Moreso,  Fubara had already shown signs of softening his hard-line stance and stated his preparedness to implement the decisions of the Supreme Court, a matter in which he had little choice in any case. From the limited but significant triumph that the Supreme Court judgement meant to them, Wike and his supporters wanted overwhelming victory and the total political vanquishing of their opponents in Rivers State including the impeachment or maximum humiliation of the governor. It was unnecessary.

    Writing on the conflict between Awolowo and Akintola that degenerated to anarchy in the Western Region with all sides ultimately losing out, Professor Larry Diamond noted that “But neither was the Awolowo faction impressive in its commitment to the democratic rules of the game. While less flagrant in its abuses, it, too, manipulated the system in dubious ways for short-term gain: desperately trying to avoid a dissolution of the Western House that would necessitate a new election, secretly removing Akintola through petition before a House meeting, and rejecting, at every crucial point before the Emergency when it had the upper hand, any real compromise with Akintola”. Diamond could well have been talking about the Wike faction which squandered the upper hand that the Supreme Court judgement gave it and pursued a course of action that could most likely have led to widespread violence but for the President’s State of Emergency that demobilized all the contending factions.

    None of this is to downplay the gravity of the Governor’s constitutional infractions which were appropriately articulated by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Supervising the demolition of the House of Assembly structure and relocating the four legislators loyal to him to operate from the government house and illegally pass the state’s appropriation bill as well as approve the list of commissioners constitute the height of impunity. There is also the moral question of the governor turning so viciously and vehemently against his predecessor without whose support he could never have attained the position. But the unwisdom in Mr Wike’s widely perceived extremist utterances, his uncompromising stance and sometimes disdainful and dismissive attitude to the governor and his supporters elicited some degree of sympathy for Fubara who was perceived as the underdog.

    Beyond this, the conflict between the two had begun to assume ethnic undertones that could have complicated matters and aggravated the possibility of violence had attempts to impeach the governor continued. The truth is that Wike most likely acted impulsively in supporting Fubara as his successor rather than with the requisite care, diligence and meticulous consideration needed for such a decision. Having made that grievous error which revealed his inability to correctly assess and judge human character and leadership potential, the Minister should have handled the fallout in a less combustible manner and in a way that would not constitute a political liability for President Tinubu given his key position as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    On his part, Fubara’s inability to more subtly and strategically manage his relationship with his predecessor and benefactor no matter the excesses of the latter exposes his naivety, political inexperience and deficiency of emotional intelligence. It is also a measure of his leadership capability that he has been unable to utilize the influence of his office to win greater support from the legislative arm of government but chose to antagonize the majority of the legislators till everybody was sent packing at least for six months. He is the greatest loser in the unfolding scenario in Rivers State and will most likely find out that most of those that urged him on in his confrontation with Wike were doing so not out of any sense of loyalty or commitment but for what they could benefit materially from the position he occupied. Sadly, the various leaders and elders in the state also took positions not dictated by the common good of the people of Rivers State but considerations of personal interest.

    At the inception of the crisis, President Tinubu convened a meeting of the contended parties with elders and respected statesmen from the state in attendance with a view to finding an amicable solution to the crisis. Unfortunately, the terms of the agreement which all the parties signed to at the meeting was subsequently jettisoned with people digging into entrenched and inflexible positions until the President wielded the big stick. But given his considerable political experience, strategic astuteness and the weight and authority of his office, President Tinubu is still in the best position to broker an acceptable peace that can usher Rivers State back to normalcy and such a feat will earn him considerable political capital.

    The Vanguard newspaper in its editorial of Tuesday, March 18, advised that “In this kind of situation, “might” may not be”right “. The two sides may not be in the mood to exercise diplomacy and implement the verdict through consensus. That was exactly the situation that the Lagos Assembly men and women found themselves in until the President intervened in a fatherly manner. We call on him to adopt the same attitude towards the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in Rivers State”.

    In conclusion, the Vanguard suggested that “the President holds private talks with Governor Fubara and Minister Wike and commit them to peace and hold them responsible in case of a breach of the peace. …No side should be allowed to push its luck too far. Everything must be done to preserve the peace”. President Tinubu can break the vicious cycle of unwisdom in Rivers.

  • Rivers: The inevitability of emergency rule

    Rivers: The inevitability of emergency rule

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday wielded the big stick in a bid to restore order into the state of pandemonion in Rivers. He took a constitutional step in the interest of the Southsouth state and the country.

    The government of Siminalayi Fubara was suspended for the initial period of six months. This means that the emergency rule can be extended, if the combatants fail to learn their lessons.

    The House of Assembly will also be sealed for half of the year. It is a sad day for popular rule in the oil-rich state.

    But, the presidential decision was taken as a last resort to prevent the likely slide into violence. The people have to be protected. Violence, which had manifested in pipeline destruction by militants, had to be halted. The rule of law, which had been tampered with, had to be restored. The fighters had to be seperated, one way or the other, following the collapse of reconciliation between the two sides.

    As the two elephants – Fubara and Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), fought, the grass suffered. The state was polarised. The elders took sides and fuel the acrimony and grievances.

    Yet, the declaration of a state of emergency became the saving grace for Fubara and his deputy, who were facing impeachment charges. It also temporarily took the burden off the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, because of the roadblocks ahead. The 27 lawmakers wanted to take a pound of flesh. But was evident that the impeachment would not be easy. It could have led to bloodshed, judging by the flexing of muscles on both sides.

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    When the governor asked his people to wait for directives at the approoriate time, tension rose. Fear engulfed the state as the jungle was about to mature. Top security chiefs knew that problem was imminent. In averting doom, speed was required.

    The signs were ominous. The handwriting was bold on the wall. But, the governor could not decipher the looming disaster. It may be due to his limited political experience, despite been a topflight technocrat and a professional in his field of accounting.

    As at yesterday when a Navy Admiral was drafted to steer Rivers affairs, government and governance had broken down. Judging by the judgement of the Supreme Court, the State Executive Council was at half. Illegal commissioners who were never screened by the House of Assembly were assisting the governor in the day to day running of the state. Many other appointments requiring parliamentary screening, clearance and approval were made without recourse to the law and the due process.

    Also, Fubara was spending public funds without appropriation, contrary to the law. In the last two years, Rivers never had a budget. The budgets were illegally passed by an illegal four-member House of Assembly, led by a fake Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

    In fact, Fubara waged war against the parliament, a key institution of democracy, when he ordered its demolition. The salaries of lawmakers were withheld. For over a year, 27 state constituencies were denied representation in the House of Assembly.

    When the crisis was festering, President Tinubu waded into the imbroglio. He proposed a peace pact, which was jettisoned. Fubara described the resolutions as mere advisory, saying that they were not biding. The opportunity for amicable resolutions through concessions, abnegatiin, sacrifice and guarded consensus was bungled.

    Also, Wike never sheathed his swords. Inflammatory statements coming from both sides heated up the state. The survival of the state became secondary to the top leaders of Rivers political who elevated personal interests over collective interests.

    The warriors had no option than to return to the court. According to the Supreme Court, Fubara had become a lawless governor, whose executive lawlessness had become a threat to democracy.

    At that stage, a wiser governor, who had become vulnerable, would have swallowed his pride and become less inflexible and more condescending.

    But, ego and executive power drew a wool across the eyes of the chief executive, unmindful that, without the exercise of widsom, power could be transcient and temporarily slip away.

    The emergency rule is not the end of the matter. Unless the core politicians in Rivers change their recalcitrant attitude, the future is gloomy.

    The lessons are instructive. Beneficiaries of power should desist from plunging their states into predecessor-successor crises. Also, there is need for restraint and moderation. Political crises that festers are not dictated by public interest. They are manifestations of badly managed political relationships.

    Fubara, the lawmakers and their leader, Wike,should know that they may still need to work together after the emergency rule. If there is no truce after six months, the emergency rule can be extended.

    The combatants should give concessions, build consensus, strive at an accord and work for concord  in the interest of democracy and their states.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu declares State of Emergency in Rivers

    BREAKING: Tinubu declares State of Emergency in Rivers

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State for an initial period of six months.

    He made the declaration in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening.

    He said the declaration became imperative to protect lives and property in the oil-rich State following recent political crisis.

    The President said: “The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.

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    “With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.

    “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.

    “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

    “This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”

  • Don’t drag judiciary into Rivers crisis, NBA cautions House of Assembly 

    Don’t drag judiciary into Rivers crisis, NBA cautions House of Assembly 

    The eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, Rivers State chapter, has called on the state House of Assembly to desist from any attempt to drag the judiciary into the ongoing political crisis in the state.

    The NBA in a statement it issued in Port Harcourt was reacting to the recent resolution of the House directing the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the alleged age falsification of the Rivers Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi.

    The NBA in the statement said it was unfortunate that despite the already heated polity in Rivers, the lawmakers were still escalating the tensions in the state with such resolutions.

    The statement was signed by Mrs. Cordelia Eke, NBA Chairperson, Port Harcourt; Mrs. Dr. Hilda Desmond Ihekaire; Ahoada; Simple Dioha, Isiokpo Branch; Abiye A. Abo, Chairman, Degema; Dr. N. A. Duson, Chairman, Bori; Dr. Celestine N. Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi; Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Chairman, Okrika and Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, Chairman, Omoku. 

    The NBA said: “We recognize the constitutional powers and roles of the three arms of government in the State. We also recognize the need for these arms of government to work in synergy for the peace, progress and development of the State. Thus, there is need for mutual respect amongst all the parties. 

    “We are not unaware of the existing political impasse between the legislature and the executive arms of government in Rivers State, however, we must caution that the judiciary should not be drawn into the ongoing imbroglio for no just cause.

    “We reiterate that the independence of the judiciary is crucial to the sustenance of peace and stability in the state, as contending parties ultimately resort to the judiciary for the resolution of disputes as has recently been witnessed at the Supreme Court”.

    The NBA said there was no need to escalate tensions because the stability of Rivers remained crucial to the economy of the state and the country and recalled the ugly incidences of 2014 – 2015 that resulted in the closure of courts in the state. 

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    The NBA said: “We cannot afford to experience a similar occurrence in the present times we find ourselves in the state, and especially for the interests of the good people of Rivers State to have their ongoing matters in Court without interruptions.

    “Every action in the public service has a prescribed procedure which all should respect and observe to forestall chaos and anarchy in the State. In the case of judiciary, any complaint against one of its officers is dealt with by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which alone has the authority to carry out any disciplinary action or authorize any investigation against any Judge.

    “The role of security agencies is clearly defined, and they also must respect due process and work within the ambit of the Law. It is therefore, advised that the Judiciary should not be intimidated into succumbing to blackmail, bullying political pressure in the discharge of their duties”

    The NBA called for the protection of the judiciary saying it remained the last hope of the common man including politicians.

    “We continue to appeal to all contenders to sheath their swords and genuinely seek peace in the interest of Rivers State and the economy of Nigeria at large”, the body said.