A Fresh Storm Blows Through Rivers State Politics
Uncertainty in the political landscape raises concerns about Fubara's premature re-entry into office.
Look to Rivers State and a brewing tempest of political tension takes center stage, casting serious doubt on the fate of Governor Siminalayi Fubara's swift comeback, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency on March 18.
Certain dreamers held high hopes that Fubara might be reinstated during Tinubu's Democracy Day address on May 29. However, recent happenings have hinted that such dreams might be misguided.
And suddenly, last Friday, a curtain descended upon an empowerment program for 500 women from Rivers State as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative led by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The event unfolded in Port Harcourt, where an unexpected scene unfurled when Dr. Theresa Ibas, wife of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Retired), was called upon to address the gathering. The women staged a walkout, an action that spurred wide attention and criticism, particularly from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who was on an official visit to China.
Wike labeled the incident as "an affront to anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria" and issued an apology on behalf of Rivers State. Yet, many women and Niger Delta stakeholders refuted Wike's remarks, alleging that the women were misrepresented and their actions distorted for political gain.
Annkio Briggs, a spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly and a notable human rights activist, denounced efforts to associate the walkout with Governor Fubara in an interview with Punch. She paraphrased, "Labeling Governor Fubara as the culprit is akin to giving a dog a bad name to hang it." Briggs explained that the women, organized under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), had eagerly anticipated the First Lady's visit.
"They coordinated events from all 23 Local Government Areas, printed T-shirts and banners bearing the names of both Mrs. Tinubu and Mrs. Fubara, and even presented a gift for the First Lady," Briggs recounted.
Solidarity with the Women's Respectable Protest
The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, also spoke up, echoing the women's actions as respectful.
"Would they don their vests displaying both Mrs. Tinubu and Governor Fubara's name if they meant to dishonor her?" Okaba questioned.
In response to Wike's comments, the women clarified that Governor Fubara held no sway over their actions. They affirmed their loyalty to Fubara, stating, "We stand loyally by Governor Fubara, not as puppets, but as organic supporters. As Fubara seeks peace, it doesn't mean Rivers people should be manipulated."
The women reiterated that they showed no disrespect for either the First Lady or President Tinubu. "As with Wike's contrived attempts to blackmail Rivers people, political power is fleeting; this phase shall pass, and history shall pass judgment upon all players involved," they stated.
And now, as the air thickens with heightened tension, it is evident that the peace treaty between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike has reached its breaking point.
This escalation stirs grave concerns over the future of the state and Fubara's possible immediate return to Government House.
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- 2027: Wike Meets PDP Governors, Agrees to Make Concessions to Foster Unity Within Party
- Disturbing, Embarrassing - Wike Condemns Walkout on Rivers Sole Administrator's Wife
- The women, organized under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), had coordinated events from all 23 Local Government Areas, printed T-shirts and banners bearing the names of both Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and even presented a gift for the First Lady.
- Professor Benjamin Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), echoed the women's actions as respectful, questioning, "Would they don their vests displaying both Mrs. Tinubu and Governor Fubara's name if they meant to dishonor her?"
- In a heated response, the women clarified that Governor Fubara held no sway over their actions, affirming their loyalty to Fubara, stating, "We stand loyally by Governor Fubara, not as puppets, but as organic supporters."
- As the political scene in Rivers State heats up, the nations' leadership is watching closely as the tension between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike reaches a boiling point, raising concerns about the future of the state and Fubara's possible immediate return to Government House.
- Notably, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the PDP Governors' suit on the Rivers State Emergency Declaration, as part of the ongoing policy-and-legislation and politics surrounding the state.
- Echoing the sentiments of many Nigerians, Annkio Briggs, a spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly and a notable human rights activist, denounced efforts to associate the walkout with Governor Fubara, stating, "Labeling Governor Fubara as the culprit is akin to giving a dog a bad name to hang it."
- The escalating situation in Rivers State, fraught with crime-and-justice issues, has mobilized a wave of general news coverage, both domestically and internationally, raising concerns over the potential war-and-conflicts and the welfare of the citizens in the region.
- Simultaneously, the perpetual cycle of political wrangling between Tinubu and the PDP has spurred a setback in the overall progress of Nigeria, casting doubt on the administration's ability to effectively address pressing issues of policy-and-legislation, including the ongoing battle against political violence and economic instability in the country.
