Once you are able to conquer emotion and sentiment in politics, you will likely see things through the prism of sound reasoning and analysis. In this part of the world, people dish out hates without knowing the person the hate is being wasted on but for the singular reason that many are making negative remarks about the person. When you are a (Wike ) that stood against social media preferred Presidential Candidate Mr Peter Obi, be sure that many internet users who are majorly Youths, will continue to pronounce you guilty before your case is properly examined.
I will not bore my readers with the social media story of the relationship between Wike and Fubara, but I recall that many writers and politicians who are making saint out of Gov. Fubara were criticing the manner with which he made it to the Government House. I can recall, they called him unprintable names. They declared him corrupt for daring to work with Gov. Wike as he then was.
Apart from speculations online, no one can comfortably say what the issue between Wike and Fubara is. I listened to Wike on television challenge Fubara to place it on record whether he has ever asked him to share Rivers State resources with him, until I read a refutal from the Government of Rivers State, it is therefore assumed that what has been generally believed by the public could be a well packaged lie against Barr. Nyesom Wike.
If the issue is not about sharing of resources, any other trouble could be handled politically. So, they should sort themselves out. My anger is that those who are dying for them are doing so for nothing. I can bet you, in some months or years to come, these dudes can find a common ground. That is actually what politics entails. No permanent enemy, no permanent friend. Stop over working yourself for these politicians.
I can’t hate Wike and like Fubara, that will be a misplacement of like and hate. Many qualified candidates were shortchanged for Fubara. Many felt betrayed and Fubara didn’t have any problem with that. In the political environment, Fubara is as guilty as Wike. At least, he benefitted from whatever ill that was done in the 2023 general election without qualms. I can’t just wake up to exonerate him.
What people are celebrating as emancipation of Rivers State is actually a making of another War Lord. At the end, those who are fighting for or against are for their individual benefits. As long as the political war continues, political actors will always head to the bank. Funny enough, those who have become overnight bank customers will continue to fuel the war for their benefits.
When Gov. Godwin Obaseki had issues with Sen.Oshiomole , Nigerians celebrated and called for the head of the former labour leader turned politician. Some of us who partly understand the political environment of the country sat back to have a long laugh. Obaseki went ahead to use about 4 house of Assembly members, rendering the remaining officers jobless despite having mandates from their several Constituencies. The matter that led to that decision was something that needed a political solution. We already know the story and how it ended. How could Edo people who hailed Obaseki come out publicly to hail Oshiomole while telling the world that Obaseki failed to keep to promises and was fighting those who helped him clinch power?
Juxtapose that with what has happened in Rivers State. The mistake any observer will continue to make is to believe that all the members are wrong while Fubara is right. It’s a house matter and it was created to be an independent house. Many of those members were responsible for Fubara’s victory in their various constituencies and therefore, they are right to ask and be granted.
What could’ve been a small issue led to a big disagreement, 27 members defected though not officially, that is if you understand the processes of defection. You can argue that the Governor’s seat was threatened and that led to burning of the house etc. The Governor couldn’t have folded his arms and allow himself to be impeached. But, in a normal legislative process, impeachment or threat of impeachment is part of legislative function. I do not think his office was further threatened when President Tinubu intervened.
It’s only a rubber stamp assembly that members don’t react or are not expected to react when they feel they are not properly carried along. This is politics not church activities.
The Governor declared their seats vacant. Legally, the Governor over stretched his power. Constitutionally, when a member defects, it becomes a legal issue. Even Buhari couldn’t declare Saraki’s seat vacant. Nigerians supported Sen. Saraki but are crucifying others that performed similar duties. It is the Party that will write to INEC and then find their way to court for such declaration. How can Gov. Fubara perform the function of both the political party and the court and Nigerians clap? Same people that will normally call for independent assembly to further enhance checks and balances.
He went ahead to pick a speaker, and 3 members. Note that four of the new members constitutionally do not form a quorum for any house function. Budget was presented and passed same day. Commissioners were nominated and cleared same day. In all these, people are clapping. Calling it liberation. How can you liberate a State with illegality ? You can hate Wike for all you care but can you remove him from the equation so that we can together see through some of these issues without any iota of bias?
Going into the local government election, APC went to court to challenge the process. According to them, notice was not circulated within a time frame according to the law. A 90 day notice to all political parties must be issued. You can’t wake up within weeks and put a date without following the law. FHC stopped the election but government was prepared to move ahead and thereafter applied to SHC which gave a go ahead. Courts of coordinate jurisdiction gave conflicting judgements. That’s shameful. PDP had to pull out of the election citing the court injuction which made Fubara to approach APP. Nigerians are applauding an election that saw APP that was mentioned within days to the election win the entire slots , and same Nigerians are hoping that 2027 election will become free and fair? That’s a tall dream. You can’t accept it because it favours you only to criticize it when it doesn’t.
The good thing is, there is still time to make amends…
Ikechukwu Iroha writes from Abuja
