In all, it’s germane we keep wike on our side, by Kola Amzat

The present halt in governance in Rivers State is a political disaster foretold long ago. To be politically-savvy and discerning, it couldn’t have been otherwise.

There is no gainsaying the fact that there is palpable tension in all the nooks and crannies of the stupendously endowed oil & gas enclave in the heart of Niger-Delta geopolitical zone.

The falcon no longer hears the falconets. There is a total breakdown in communication between the governor and members of the house of assembly.  

As I dropped this Piece, the impeachment notice has been served onto the governor and his deputy, with their responses being expected.  

How has the state gotten to this stand-still position?

There is a governor who has no scant regard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Indeed, the State Chief Executive Officer continually breached the 1999 Constitution as Amended with impunity and undue arrogance.

Even, despite the intervention of the president, and of course, the ruling of the Supreme Court, the governor continues to ride-roughshod on the state house of assembly, a development that is totally at variance with the constitutional provisions.   

For emphasize, the under listed are the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the governor:

·       Reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, as well as obstructing the assembly’s intervention activity in this regard.

·       Authorized withdrawals from the State Consolidated Fund without an appropriation law, duly passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly to this effect.

·       Authorizing expenditures from the State Consolidated Fund, even after the Rivers State House of Assembly declared a shutdown on the state expenditure through a resolution.

·       Continually hindering and obstructing the State House of Assembly from performing its constitutional responsibilities

·       Directed and personally supervised the demolition of Rivers State House of Assembly.

·       Appointment of persons to occupy public offices/positions of authority in Rivers State without presenting for screening and confirmation to Rivers State House of Assembly as provided by the 1999 Constitution as amended.  

On the other side are the long-suffering House of Assembly members that have been embarrassed, traumatized, ridiculed and have been long denied their constitutional rights by the governor as duly elected and representatives of their respective constituents.

Without a shadow of doubt, the saving grace of the governor since his inauguration has been the President, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who have severally intervened by placating the assembly members against moving for impeachment against the governor.

It’s pertinent to note that the Emergency Declaration of six (6) months imposed on Rivers State was politically calculated to starve off impeachment move against the governor, a strategic initiative by the president aimed at facilitating the return of the governor after the expiration of the Emergency rule.

Interestingly, this is Mr. Simi Fubara who ascended from the position of civil servant-Accountant General of the state through the benevolence and kindness of the immediate past governor of the state, Wike Nyesom.

No political antecedent, no war-chest, no logistics and no die-hard followership. He simply emerged from the primary election on the platter of gold, and ultimately to the governor’s office.  

For the avoidance of doubt, he reportedly emerged against all odds, particularly, the virulent opposition of the then PDP leadership hierarchy who were totally in disagreement with his candidacy.

But, his benefactor was resolute, as he stood his ground that if he wasn’t Simi Fubara; then, no one else!

So, why has Wike Nyesom suddenly become an object of attacks? He is the major financier of the political bloc that Fubara rode on its back to power.

Till tomorrow, Wike imperially controls the grassroots politics in Rivers State. He’s referenced by political leaders across party divides, leaders of thoughts, markets leaders, militant groups, students, even the appointees of the government, including virtually all state house of assembly members.

Have we all heard Asari Dokubo and Government Tompolo rooting for Wike in recent times?

It’s also reported that the governor finds it very difficult to interact with Chairman of LGAs, political leaders, leaders of thoughts, and stakeholders across the state, including the all-important assembly members.  

In its brutal form, politics is seen from the prism of vehicles that could be deployed to attain power. Of course, “Power is not served a La Carte, one have to fight for it”

In politics, you utilize what you have to achieve your objective.

If Wike has opted to deploy the assembly members as tools to facilitate the impeachment of Governor Fubara; so be it. Heaven would not fall!

APC, as a party, would lose nothing if the governor gets impeached. Without Wike Nyesom, the governor can’t win any election in Rivers State. This is a bitter truth that the APC leadership hierarchy must be prepared to live with.

The governor is simply a political godson of the FCT Minister, who controls the entire political apparatus of the state.

It’s not enough for a governor to defect from another party to APC. A defected or defecting governor must defect with a reasonable bloc capable of sustaining him in his new party, positive attitude, loyalty & respect to those who facilitated his ascension to power and also prepare to foster peace and orderliness in his new party.

It’s doubtful if Governor Fubara understands the afore-mentioned political concepts.

As the political eclipse continues in Rivers state, Wike Nyesom remains our best bet to cultivate and continually pacify. Subjecting him to the object of scorn and ridicule is counterproductive and would continue to worsen the matter.  

He’s the only one that could guarantee RESOUNDING VICTORY for the president, as well as deliver the state governorship slot into the fold of APC.

Let’s also check this: Wike has been one of the few shining stars of the present Federal Executive Cabinet.

His performance as FCT Minister has been UNPRECEDENTED and this is in all facets of developments-roads rehabilitation & construction, educational infrastructures, quality medical facilities, impressive security architecture etc.

We shouldn’t also fail to reckon with unrelenting and unwavering support of former Rivers governor, particularly in weakening opposition parties to ensure and facilitate that the ruling party has unassailable dominance in the political sphere.

This writer is therefore imploring the National Chairman, Secretary and the Leadership Hierarchy of APC to stay off the Wike’s case and leave it only for the President, Commander-in-Chief, to handle and possibly, pacify.

President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) and Wike Nyesom are coming from a particular point that APC leadership hierarchy are oblivious of. They would do better to let the president take charge fully.  

Obviously, this matter is beyond them. Rivers’ state case presents a different spectacle and must be treated as such.  

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB),

Lagos Based Financial Consultants.

09077509348