To so many analysts and observers with critical thinking, the Tuesday declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State before now is a deal already sealed, which eventually manifested on Tuesday evening.
President Bola Tinubu suspended the Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and the state house of assembly, and appointed an interim Administrator, retired Chief of Nigeria Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe to run the state for a six-month period.
President Tinubu blamed the continuing political crisis on Governor Fubara declaring: “with the crisis persisting ,there is no way democratic governance , which we have all fought and worked for over the years can thrive in a way that will rebound to the benefit of the good people of the state.
The imposition of the state of emergency in Rivers State was an unprecedented move on the part of President Tinubu. The fact that he took such an exceptional measure may have indicated a long-overdue recognition of the need to address the escalating political violence in Rivers State, but it also provided evidence of his government’s failure to take the problem seriously over the preceding months. Had the federal government acted earlier, this might have been saved without resorting to extreme measures. Instead, the government allowed the situation to spiral out of the control, especially with the overbearing influence of the Minister of Federal Capital territory , Nyesom Wike.
President Tinubu failed to respond in any effective way to the numerous calls by individuals, groups, and opposition leaders.
It was only after a massive explosion that blown off the pipeline and continued to threaten fire and brimstone.
The declaration of the state of emergency has provoked strong reactions across Nigeria—far stronger, in fact, than the reactions to the crisis, loss of many lives, and wanton destruction of property by the waring parties.
Many individuals such as Atiku Abubakar, Dele Momodu, Babafemi Ojudu, and organizations, including civil society groups and lawyers, denounced the move as unconstitutional and a violation of democracy.
But one simple truth in the Rivers State crisis since the beginning of it was many utterances and comments made by Governor Fubara and some of his aides. At a time, Governor Fubara addressed the Rivers Lawmakers as “those boys.” At some time, one of his aides called the lawmakers “Little Children Shaking Their Heads Thinking They’re Shaking Coconut”
In the thick of the crisis, Governor Fubara said the lawmakers are nowhere without him, boasting he is the essence of their existence. These comments were by no means contributed badly to the crisis, which eventually led to their alleged defection, their suspension, several court rulings, and eventually the supreme court verdict.
It’s so sad that the gift of being a governor given to Fubara by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, was “a Greek gift,” which Fubara took so far in months of their face off With all what Wike went through in Rivers to made Fubara Governor against all odds, then Fubara must be the “a comedian of the year” for attempting to wield a power given as a “Greek Gift.”
With the latest President pronouncement, it is obvious that there may likely be the end to political crisis in the state as power will eventually be returned to its original owner (Minister Wike), and only God can determine the political future of Governor Fubara. It’s so sad that Governor Fubara never yielded the advice of the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.
I wish Rivers State the very best in years to come.
Lekan Shobo Shobowale, an Ibadan based journalist and political analyst (08071815931)
