Last week the political space of Rivers state was again shaken by a rash desire underscored by crash emotions and action to impeach the democratically elected Governor of the State – H. E Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The fallout led to the burning of the House of Assembly chambers by ardent political supporters. ln the ensuing drama, actions were swiftly taken to arrest the tide . The Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Chike Amaewhule, was impeached and a new Speaker, Rt.Hon Edison Ehie, elected, the CoS to the Governor, Mr. Chidi Amadi was equally given the boot!
Things were moving faster than the speed of light. The chief judge, commissioners and 23 local government council chairmen may not be spared, though the commissioner of information and communication, Mr Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, has dispelled the further sacking of any government official.
Addressing supporters earlier at the House of Assembly Complex on Monday where he had gone to assess the damage done to the burnt chambers, the governor visibly calm, had said he had not committed any impeachable offence offering to talk to the press at a later time.
Perhaps, Fubara’s perceived offence was the recent appointment of commissioners which political observers say was without Wike’s input having exhausted his recommendations. Others say various monetary demand brought about the love lost
It is shamefully noteworthy that the governor- the No1 chief security officer of the state was equally attacked, shot at by the police drafted to the complex to keep law and order The governor, we are told only escaped by the whiskers as a large following shielded him off teargas cannisters and more.
In this regard, Lious Edet House has confirmed the incident and vowed to deal with anyone found culpable as investigation is underway!
Having failed in their plan A, action in the coming days may shift to rendering the state ungovernable if Wike is allowed to go full swing with his allies. The idea is to attract President Tinubu whose ears Wike has to imposing a state of emergency on Rivers state in their permutations for 2027, regardless of the President’s surgical intervention- it’s left to be seen in the light of the permutations on ground.
Meanwhile the two Rivers sons were said to have met behind closed doors in Abuja. They shook hands upon meeting enroute the police council meeting chaired by Mr President The last was in 2021. It’s not clear if the path to peace and less control of the state affairs will be brokered.
The path of honour for Wike would have been dialoguing, advising and providing guidance for a government he painstakingly entrenched. Wike can afford to show fatherly courage and go tete-a-tete with the governor!
For making the Riverine region to govern in 24 years of the life span of the state, Wike had already written his name in kandahar. why sacrifice it on the alter of ego ?
Whatever the disagreement is, a disagreement where impeachment of the governor is to be secretly executed is no more a mere disagreement.
From Ada George to Peter Odill, Omeha, Amaechi to Wike, no one made an impeachment attempt on the other or assassination attempt. lt can’t be recalled that any impeachment moves in the eight years of Wike’s administration as governor. You dare not!
The powers right now rest with the governor. Let there be father/Son like dialogue. State of emergency as plan B will not work. The price is far more. Let the issues which are more than meets the eye be resolved amicably.
To puppetize the governor is not in the best interest of a party which wants to deliver democratic dividends. The coming days will redefine governance as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to deepen his grip and ensure the bridge to youths and more -people oriented governance is not truncated.
