Taming the political crisis in Rivers State
Since last year, Rivers State has been grappling with a significant political crisis following an aborted impeachment attempt against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara by 25 former lawmakers. The crisis has severely impacted the political landscape of the state. The root of the conflict appears to be a feud between Governor Fubara and his former political mentor, FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike, with speculation suggesting that control of the state treasury may be at the heart of their rift. However, no concrete evidence has substantiated this claim.
Governor Fubara alleged that, despite celebrating his first year in office, he effectively only controlled the state for four months, indicating the extent of his limited control over the governance of Rivers State due to ongoing issues. The political instability was exacerbated by the failed impeachment attempt led by former Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resulting in continuous and often controversial court rulings.
The former chairmen of the 23 local government areas further complicated the situation. They not only publicly criticised the Governor but also claimed extended tenures, allegedly sanctioned by the ousted Speaker, who was a confidant of the FCT Minister. This led to a series of legal battles that shifted from Rivers courts to Abuja, with frequent rulings creating confusion and unrest.
Amidst this turmoil, Governor Fubara took the drastic step of seizing federal allocations meant for the former chairmen but ensured that council workers continued to receive their salaries. He also withheld statutory allowances from pro-Wike lawmakers who had defected from the PDP to the APC. This move, though controversial, was seen as a defensive measure amidst the escalating political conflict.
The judicial system has been heavily involved, with numerous rulings that have been interpreted differently by various interest groups. Many of these decisions have included the clause to “maintain the status quo,” which has allowed politicians to claim victories based on their own interpretations of the rulings.
Recent violent incidents, such as the attack on the All People’s Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt and previous attacks near the Hotel Presidential, highlight the severe impact of the ongoing political instability. These events are reportedly linked to rumours about the Governor’s potential defection to the APP.
To address the crisis effectively, several steps need to be taken. First, a reconciliation between Governor Fubara and Barr Nyesom Wike is crucial. Despite the complexity of their relationship, resolving their differences is essential for stabilising the state. Both parties will need to make sacrifices to achieve a resolution.
Also, the contentious defection of the 25 lawmakers should be addressed through political negotiation. As all the involved parties are politicians, resolving this issue should be feasible through dialogue.
In addition to this, all pending court cases related to the crisis should be withdrawn. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s earlier intervention efforts, which were not fully embraced by the parties involved. Revisiting this approach could be instrumental in achieving peace.
It should be noted that former council chairmen should demonstrate remorse and realign their loyalty to the democratic course. This constant devotion to godfatherism in our clime is a blight. . Governor Fubara should also return and settle the allowances and allocations owed to these former officials. Implementing these suggestions could help Rivers State overcome its current political challenges and move towards stability. May the people of Rivers know peace.
