The senseless crisis in Rivers State has continued unabated and from the looks of things, it might just continue until common sense prevails or until those who are fueling it run out of firepower. I call the crisis senseless because there can only be one captain in a ship and as it is in Rivers, the State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, is the captain in the state and whatever may be happening out of the state is irrelevant, immaterial and inconsequential.
The crisis last week following the expiration of the tenures of Local Government Council Chairmen in the state, took another dimension, as police, youths and other citizens occupied 21 council secretariats, resisting the outgoing chairmen and their supporters from gaining entrance to the offices.
Governor Fubara had dissolved the council citing the Nigerian constitution on the tenure of local government administration and directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately step in and take charge of the council affairs.
The insistence by some of the outgoing chairmen to remain in office citing the law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly which extended their tenures by six months incited the crisis last Tuesday.
The amendment of Sections of the Law No. 5 of 2018 extending the tenure of elected Local Government chairmen in Rivers State by the Martin Amaehwule-led House of Assembly was a ploy by the assembly members faithful to erstwhile Governor Wike, to further tighten their grip on the levers of power in Rivers.
By overriding Governor Fubara’s veto the State House of Assembly just a few days after it purportedly amended the law, would be naive to think that Fubara would sit back while the carpet is being pulled off his feet.
Explaining the rationale behind the amendments, Martin Amaewhule had stated that they were intended to empower the House of Assembly to extend the tenure of elected officials when it is deemed impracticable to hold local government elections before the expiration of their three-year terms.
All indications that violence would erupt that Tuesday was already clear for all to see as council chairmen suddenly fixed their activities that day perhaps as a way of mobilising the people on the streets to confront whatever resistance that may come from the governor and his sympathisers.
Recall that the outgoing Emohua council chairman, Chidi Lloyd, had announced in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bright Jossy, that the council would begin the distribution of cutlasses and hoes to farmers from Tuesday June 18 and it’s expected to last for one week. His Khana LGA counterpart, Bariere Thomas, announced a one-week clean-up exercise in the council billed to commence from the same Tuesday.
Also, the former Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Nwanosike Samuel, had announced a one-week cultural festival in the council beginning Tuesday June 18, while the former Eleme council Chairman, Barilormate Ollor, warned youths and others to steer clear of the council secretariat if they do not want to meet their forefathers.
However, the governor’s sympathisers were somewhat smarter because by early Tuesday, youths and other citizens of the state besieged the various councils, denying the outgoing leadership access to the various council secretariats. The resistance also caused tension, as protests spread across the 23 local government areas of the chairmen of LGAs and ward councillors.
At Omuma LGA, a policeman and a member of Omuma Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) were reportedly killed by yet to be identified gunmen, following shootings that erupted in the area.
At Obio-Akpor Local Government secretariat Tuesday morning, scores of youths and women besieged the premises and pulled down an image of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
There was also heavy shooting at Port Harcourt City Local Government Area secretariat, after some youths blocked the outgoing mayor, Mr Allwell Ihunda, from gaining access to the secretariat.
There was also heavy shooting at Port Harcourt City Local Government Area secretariat, after some youths blocked the outgoing mayor, Mr Allwell Ihunda, from gaining access to the secretariat.
In Eleme LGA, hundreds of youths stormed the council secretariat to chase away all agents that were opposed to the directive issued by the governor.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Rivers State, also called for declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The demand was made by the caretaker committee chairman, Tony Okocha, during an interaction with journalists.
Okocha, who blamed the state Governor Fubara for the unrest, said the state is at war, and the only way for residents to live in peace is for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state.
“We are at war in Rivers State, and because the governor is unteachable, APC Rivers state is calling for a state of emergency in Rivers State so that you and I can have peace in this state,” he said.
Okocha, who blamed the state Governor Fubara for the unrest, said the state is at war, and the only way for residents to live in peace is for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state.
“We are at war in Rivers State, and because the governor is unteachable, APC Rivers state is calling for a state of emergency in Rivers State so that you and I can have peace in this state,” he said.
Okocha’s recommendation is a sure recipe for disaster. This disposition of political gladiators to go to the extremes, regardless of the implications for the larger population is sad.
One thing for sure, Wike would have done worse things were he in the shoes of Fubara.
Wike must come to terms with the fact that he is no longer the governor of Rivers and that he must move on. He should know that his style of governance in Rivers has left him with too many enemies who are also willing to throw their support behind the governor to finally cage and silence him and as well reduce his influence in the state.
Truth be told, those legislators sympathetic with Wike have completely lost out.
With the state legislators and local government chairmen out of the way, Wike has lost control of the state. He should accept this reality and move on.
President Tinubu must take his hands off the state and ignore in its entirety the push for a state of emergency. He should call on Governor Wike to concentrate on his assignment in Abuja and allow Governor Fubara to lead the state in peace.
Everything possible must be done to safeguard this democracy because should we allow it slip, it is the same political class that would be the biggest losers.
