Unforeseen Political Turmoil Solicits Questions Over Fubara's Premature Restoration to Power
Title: A powder keg of political unrest brews in Rivers State, casting doubts on Governor Fubara's quick return to power following the state of emergency declaration by President Tinubu
A stormy wave of political turmoil is gathering momentum in Rivers State, casting serious doubts on the prospects of Governor Siminalayi Fubara regaining his seat prematurely, following the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18.
While a few key players had harbored hopes that Fubara's reinstatement might be announced during the President's Democracy Day address on May 29, recent developments suggest that such optimism may have been premature.
Our source reports that confrontations flared up on Friday during an empowerment program designed for 500 women hailing from Rivers State, as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative spearheaded by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The event, held in Port Harcourt, took an unexpected turn when the wife of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd), Theresa Ibas, was invited to address the women. A mass exodus ensued, drawing sharp national attention and criticism from various quarters, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who is currently abroad on official business in China.
Wike condemned the incident as "an affront to anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria" and apologized as a leader in Rivers State for the embarrassing turn of events.
However, many Rivers women and Niger Delta stakeholders rejected Wike's remarks, asserting that the women's actions were distorted and politically weaponized.
Renowned human rights activist, Annkio Briggs, in an interview with Punch, vehemently condemned attempts to link the walkout to Governor Fubara. She stated emphatically, "Blaming Governor Fubara is like giving a dog a bad name to hang it."
Briggs clarified that the women, rallying under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), had eagerly anticipated the First Lady's visit. "They mobilized from all 23 LGAs, printed T-shirts and banners displaying Mrs. Tinubu and Mrs. Fubara’s names, and even prepared gifts for the First Lady," Briggs explained.
Support for the Women's Respectful Actions
The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, also weighed in, insisting that the women's actions were respectful. "Their vests bore the names of both Mrs. Tinubu and Governor Fubara. Would they do that if they intended to be disrespectful?" Okaba questioned.
In a statement through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike accused certain individuals of undermining attempts at peace-building. "You can't claim to want peace while sponsoring people to insult the President and his wife," Wike asserted, indirectly alluding to Governor Fubara’s recent peace visits to both President Tinubu in London and to Wike himself in Abuja.
"These antics won't bring peace. Those who truly want peace must act accordingly. I and my supporters condemn that congregation of shame, and we offer an apology to the First Lady for the unfortunate conduct of those few women," Wike added.
In response to Wike's remarks, the women clarified that Governor Fubara had played no role in their actions. They emphasized their organic backing for the Governor, stating, "We are organic supporters, not marionettes. While the Governor endeavors for peace, it doesn’t mean Rivers people should suffer manipulation."
The women made it clear that they neither intended nor would disrespect the First Lady or President Tinubu. "That narrative is Wike’s usual attempt to blackmail Rivers people. Political power is transient; this phase will pass, and history will judge all the players accordingly," they concluded.
With tensions now simmering, it is apparent that the peace accord between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike has crumbled beyond repair.
This setback raises significant concerns about the future of the state and the likelihood of Fubara's occupancy of Government House in the near term.
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Enrichment Data:
The walkout by women during the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's empowerment program in Rivers State stemmed from the presence and speech of Theresa Ibas, the wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, who was invited to address the women instead of the anticipated speakers – the First Lady herself or the wife of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Lady Valerie Sim-Fubara. The women protested forcefully, chanting slogans like "Bring back Fubara, we don’t know Ibas," and "We want SIM!" and "We want Valerie Fubara!" Their demand was for the suspended governor's wife to speak to them, rather than the Administrator's wife, as they recognized Valerie Sim-Fubara as the rightful First Lady of Rivers State.
This incident exposed festering political tensions in Rivers State, representing loyalty among some women to Governor Fubara and discontent with the current administration led by the Sole Administrator. The walkout served as a symbolic rejection of the administrator’s authority and a public declaration of support for Governor Fubara.
Regarding Governor Siminalayi Fubara's potential return to office, the walkout highlights strong grassroots support for him, particularly among women, which could bolster his political standing and encourage demands for his reinstatement. The protest publicly demonstrated allegiance to Fubara even during his suspension, indicating political pressure on the current administration and possibly influencing negotiations or decisions about his return. The women's insistence that his wife address them suggests that Fubara retains significant loyalty and legitimacy in certain segments of the state population despite his suspension.
In summary, the walkout was caused by the women's rejection of the administrator’s wife in favor of Governor Fubara's wife as the suitable figure to address them, highlighting political loyalty to Fubara and resistance to the current administration. This event has intensified political friction in Rivers State and could have a positive impact on Governor Fubara’s chances for a political comeback by showcasing popular backing among essential constituents.
- Human rights activist Annkio Briggs, in an interview with Punch, vehemently condemned attempts to link the women's walkout during First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's empowerment program to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
- The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, also weighed in, insisting that the women's actions were respectful, questioning, "Would they do that if they intended to be disrespectful?"
- The walkout by women during the First Lady's empowerment program exposed festering political tensions in Rivers State, representing loyalty among some women to Governor Fubara.
- This incident has intensified political friction in Rivers State and could have a positive impact on Governor Fubara's chances for a political comeback by showcasing popular backing among essential constituents.
- The women's insistence on Governor Fubara's wife addressing them suggests that Fubara retains significant loyalty and legitimacy in certain segments of the state population despite his suspension, adding to the ongoing political discourse in Rivers State and Nigeria's general-news landscape, including crime-and-justice, policy-and-legislation, and politics.
