9th October, 2024
By Paul Dada
If Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State and current minister of the Federation Capital Territory, and his estranged godson, Simimalayi Fubara, do not control themselves, their portraits would one day be hanged in the Rivers hall of infamy.
The current local government crisis raging in Rivers is no doubt, a continuation and another dimension of the feud between a former godfather who tries to rein in an ex-godson who is ungratefully spiting him.
Wike cannot for the life of him accept a situation where Fubara “rebels” against him after riding on his platform, goodwill and support to become the governor.
On his own part, Fubara thinks he cannot continue to let Wike hamstring him. In their desperation to assert themselves, these men with their actions continue to let Rivers State burn.
Recently, Wike asserted his political superiority by ensuring his loyalists became leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State in elective ward, local government and state congresses. A Rivers State High Court had ordered that the congresses could not hold. But Wike and his people didn’t yield.
Fubara knew he was losing ground in PDP. His loyalists moved to an unknown party , the Action Peoples Party. Fubara caused the Rivers State Independent Election Compassion to conduct the local government elections in which APP won most of the positions
This election was held in defiance of a court order.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, in Abuja held that RSIEC violated provisions of the Local Government Election Conduct Law by not publishing the mandatory 90 days notice before fixing the date for the election.
He said that the update and revision of the voter register should have been concluded before an election date could be legally and validly fixed in law.
He then ordered the Independent National Elector Commission not to release the certified voter register to RSIEC until the law had been fully complied with.
The judge barred RSIEC from accepting any voter register from INEC or using it for the election.
The Federal High Court also stopped the police from participating or providing security during the election.
Fubara and RSIEC laughed off the orders of the court and vowed to go ahead with the election on October 5.
It must be noted that there was more confusion as the Rivers State High Court gave a counter order to the police to provide security during the election.
Of course, the police chose to obey the Federal High Court. Force Public Relatons Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained why the police elected to obey the court in Abuja.
He said: “Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.
“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.
“And thirdly, The Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgment on 30th September 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.”
He said the Inspector- General Police Kayode Egbetokun forwarded the order and counter-order to the police legal section for advice.
His words: “For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated 2nd October 2024, where the IGP advised the Governor to also abide by the Court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State.”
Now we all see what disrespect for the judicial institution by both Wike and Fubara has led Rivers State. There have been reports of local government secretariats being set ablaze by political thugs. Now we hear of thugs shooting people and preventing newly elected local government officials from resuming duty. At least one person has been killed in the crisis.
What keeps a society civilised is the existence of strong institutions and not shows of might by strong men. Fubara should not have gone ahead with holding that election. The Rivers State Government through RSIEC should have filed an appeal against that order of the Federal High Court at the Court of Appeal. This may have saved the state from being plunged into this latest crisis.
You see, the conflict between Wike and Fubara, is not about the people. It is just about two strong men trying to outdo each other. And that’s shameful.
And the sun set for Okafor Ofiebor
Okafor was the Bureau Chief of TheNews/ P.M. News for Rivers State.
When his wife called me on Monday to tell me that he was unconscious and was only helped to breathe through the aid of an oxygen equipment, I had to contend with the thought of his possible death, which was coursing through my mind.
Okafor was a good and hardworking journalist. Many times, I would call him to get us a news story in Port-Harcourt and he would comply. I would correct his mistakes through email or even via a phone conversation and he would not argue though he was an elderly man.
I still remember him praying for me over the phone passionately that I should never contract a serious ailment for which he underwent surgery.
Adieu, good man Okafor.
May God give your family the fortitude to bear this huge loss.
