Now that people of Rivers State have boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by coming out to vote in the Local Government election on Saturday, this is the time for former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara work and deliver dividend of democracy to the people.
This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.
I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser.
All lovers of democracy will agree with me that political happenings in this oil-bearing state in the last few months, if allowed to continue, can lead to a re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region between 1962 and 1966 which eventually led to the first military coup of January 15, 1966. Many of our national figures were killed and events of that day led to a second coup on July 29, 1966 when scores of military officers were killed.
Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and January 15, 1970. Close to two million Nigerians died in the war.
I am raising this alarm because what is happening in Rivers now is a cause for serious concern for everyone.
My understanding of this man-made crisis is that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a conflagration which may eventually consume our country.
We all know the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.
Any threat to peace in this state will eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West Africa and Africa.
It is good to have political ambition, to be the alpha and omega in a partisan setting but this ambition must not be at variance with the expectations of the people.
Some have said what is happening can be traced to 2027 elections’ calculations. I believe it is too early to start strategising for a partisan event which is still close to 28 months away.
One thing is clear: Nyesom Wike was governor of the state for eight years. He left the Government House in May last year and today, he is the FCT Minister. Sir Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi were governors before him. Now that Governor Fubara is the Chief Executive of the state, he should be allowed to work. Nobody stays in office forever.
By 2027, people of Rivers State will decide, through their votes, if they want him to return to office or not.
This is how political issues and ambitions are handled in civilised climes.
The way this partisan crisis is going, if not checked, may collapse our democracy.
Now that council chairmen and councillors have been elected, I appeal to Nyesom Wike to please give peace a chance.
Tinubu must also call Wike and tell him to allow the governor to work.
We know Wike sponsored and supported Fubara to become governor but somebody also supported Wike to be governor from 2015 to 2023. Somebody also nominated him to serve as minister.
God will always use somebody to help anybody but nobody is God.
Years ago when I wanted to be the National Chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I travelled to all the 36 states, including Abuja, with my team, campaigning to our party members. A few days to our convention, there was a gang-up against me. About 24 hours to the exercise, I withdrew from the race.
Prince Uche Secondus became the chairman. I remember that Wike, Secondus, some senators and others came to my house in Abuja to beg me. I told them I am not God. In fact, I told Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, who was in my house that day, to pray for them. Since then, I have not left the party. That is the way I play my politics because nobody is God.
It is because of this crisis in Rivers that PDP lost out in the October 5 council elections because we didn’t field candidates. Elders in our party should also advise Wike on the way forward.
Look at what happened during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. The exercise was brazenly manipulated and this is because some of our members allowed it to happen. Inordinate ambition is affecting some of our people.
I am appealing to Wike to please let this crisis be a thing of the past.
The democracy we enjoy today, many people suffered to bring it to fruition. Some even died.
We should not be seen to be dancing on their graves because of partisan interests. Only God knows what will happen in 2027 because He is Greater, Wiser and More Powerful than all of us.
This is also the time for the new Chief Justice of Nigeria to call some judicial officers to order. A High Court in Rivers gave an order that the council election must hold. A Federal High Court in far away Abuja gave another order that security agents must not provide security during the election. How can courts of same jurisdiction, having the same powers, be giving conflicting orders on a similar suit?
Judges should not allow politicians to influence them to be giving conflicting judgements.
As the last hope of the common man, the judiciary should be above board.
Once again, I am appealing to Wike to look at the larger interests in this crisis. He should not allow himself to be used and dumped by the APC.
This is also the time for Tinubu to see himself as the father of all.
My prayer for Governor Fubara is for God to continue to direct and protect him in this political journey.
Your calmness of purpose and humility will continue to endear you to the people.
The political storm in Rivers must disappear immediately, in the interest of all Nigerians.
Chief Olabode George
Atona Oodua of Yorubaland
Former Deputy National Leader of PDP
