Olushola Omogbehin
Despite the jubilation that heralded the termination of the six month emergency rule in Rivers State, the expectation of the people of the state to beholding the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara yesterday to the government house was met with disappointment as the governor did not show up as expected.
Thousands of Fubara’s supporters thronged the gate of Rivers’ Government House situated along Azikiwe Street as early as 6am on Thursday from different parts of the state to await the governor’s return.
But when it was about 2pm and it became clear that Fubara was unlikely to show up, they began to leave in their droves with gloomy faces.
As the reason for the disappearance of the governor was not known to anybody, some of the political leaders loyal to Fubara were frantically moving from one place to another making phone call as they tried to ascertain the governor’s whereabouts.
Among the governor’s allies at the scene as reported by Punch were former Commissioner for Housing, Evans Bipi; former Commissioner for Power, Solomon Eke; former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbala; Former Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Emejuru and others, each leading their supporters to the Government House in anticipation of Fubara’s return.
For instance, the Former Commissioner for Physical Planning, Emejuru, said, “Rivers people are happy that Governor Fubara has been reinstated. Just look at the streets and you will see who the true leader of Rivers State is. Sim represents the people and the people represent Sim Fubara.”
Even, the absence of the supporters of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike could not stop the jubilation among the people of the state who marched along Azikiwe Road to celebrate the end of state of emergency and the anticipated return of their governor.
Various women’s groups wore different attires in red, pink and others as some were seen dancing with the governor’s portrait.
However, PUNCH learnt that Fubara’s failure to show up was partly due to ongoing talks on important appointments in the state.
News from credible sources revealed that Wike is allegedly insisting that the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff and the majority of the commissioners that will be appointed by Fubara must come from his camp.
The source disclosed that the negotiations did not take place early, hence the delay in Fubara’s return to the state. The negotiation lasted till late on Thursday. “We can’t say for now if any agreement has been reached,” one of the sources in Abuja told Punch correspondent.
Speaking on Channels Television programme tagged Politics Today on Thursday; Wike said he would not interfere with Fubara’s administration.
“I cannot go and impose anything on the governor. Why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and say, ‘I want this,’ will the state collapse? I will not. I have no candidate, and I will not.”
On Fubara’s absence, Wike said:
“I am not his (Fubara) protocol officer. There is no law that says he must resume work today (Thursday). He is a governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. Being sworn in today does not mean I will go to the office tomorrow.
“You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know where he is. Governance does not mean one must be in the office to govern.”
However, observers have noted that going by the political crisis in the state, Fubara’s return would leave him weakened with vital part of the decision of his government out of his reach.
Tonye Cole who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Fubara as returning with “zero powers”, unable to make decisions without interference.
Also, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, Kosolowoe Ajisafe and Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Eddy Olafeso have noted that his reinstatement is a hollow victory, leaving him a lame duck which of course raises broader questions about democracy being undermined by godfather-godson politics.
Specifically, Eddy Olafeso, said that Nigerians are only witnessing the beginning of a deeper political play.
“The end is yet to be seen. Nigerians will soon understand the true depth of what the Federal Government and some behind-the-scenes actors are attempting to achieve in Rivers. This is just part one,” Olafeso said.
Speaking further, Olafeso said: “There is nothing the PDP or any political party can do. This onslaught isn’t just about Fubara; it’s about democracy itself. All we can do now is leave the matter to the court of the Nigerian people. What’s happening in Rivers is just one symptom of a failing government.”
In another development, Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to forward without delay, the list of commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation.
The decision was taken during the Assembly’s first sitting after six months of emergency rule and at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the lawmakers also asked the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill so that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.
On the political future of the governor, particularly as the All Progressives Congress (APC) are making efforts to secure his loyalty, the Chairman of the PDP Zonal Caretaker Committee (South-South), Emma Ogidi, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the party would not encourage him to defect.
He urged stakeholders at every level to allow the governor to focus on governance without undue distraction.
“This is a man who only just came back. He needs time to settle down and focus on his work. If they are already trying to drag him over to their side so soon, it is simply unreasonable,” he said.
