THE BATTLE BETWEEN PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE EGOISTIC INTEREST OF POLITICAL LEADERS

A case study of Rivers State political crises and the depth of the situation as it concerns the people.

● For the past one year, Rivers State has been engulfed in political crises, caused by the feud between Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Sate Governor and the immediate past Governor and FCT. Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike; a crises many Nigerians have described as a battle between the collective interest of Rivers people clearly represented by Gov. Sim on one side, and the egoistic interest of Wike, the self acclaimed godfather of Rivers State politics and resources, his political family and some powerful Abuja politicians who have been made to believe that the resources of Rivers State is their patrimony, on the other side.

● While Barr. Wike has continuously maintained that the state will only enjoy peace when what he calls his structure takes control of the seat of power and resources of the state; Gov. Sim. has consistently maintained and demonstrated that mitigating the people’s plight must come FIRST above personal interest.

● Nevertheless, let us do a dekko at some of the activities and achievements of the 2 key players in the imbroglio, within the period under review.

● On the 29th of May, 2023, Gov. Sim Fubara took oath of office as Governor amidst huge speculations that he was going to be Wike’s minion and wouldn’t be given a free hand to tackle the agonizing economic challenges in the State.

● 5 months after, precisely on the 30th of October, 2023, Rivers people woke up to the news of an impeachment attempt on Gov. Sim by 27 Rivers State lawmakers (now former) loyal to Wike. “This was regardless of the fact that 90% of the appointees of the state government were the Wike’s nominatees.”

● It is noteworthy that no reason was given to Rivers people up till this moment for the attempted impeachment on their Governor.

● What followed thereafter were daily actions and threats to instigate violent crises and keep the state ungovernable by Wike, the 27 former lawmakers and their followers, all in a bid to distract the Governor and stop him from accomplishing his mission of economic liberation.

● In an attempt to prove his powers, Wike (fruitlessly) created his own Rivers State House of Assembly members, Rivers State Local Government Chairmen, Rivers State House of Assembly Clerk, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission members, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission members etc., and also move around the state with outriders during his weekend visits.

● Destructions of State and Local Governments owned buildings and Secretariats of opposing political parties, alleged procurement of Federal High Court rulings to deepen the crises, engaging the services of hoodlums to physically attack gatherings of supporters of Gov. Sim, instigating violence in parts of the state to attract a declaration for a state of emergency, alleged influencing of the Nigerian police to give backings to their evil plans, attempts to challenge every policy and decision of the Governor, and attempts to stop the State from receiving monthly allocations from the Federation Account have been the order of the day for Wike and his followers in the State. This is without consideration of the dangerous effects the success of their plans and actions would have on the already impoverished workforce who are totally dependent on monthly allocations to survive, and also on other sectors of the state’s economy.

● It is also important to note that the almighty FTC. Minister Wike has not laid claim to have lobbied any single Federal Government project to the state, or said anything to show his concerns for the economic challeges the people suffer as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the Tinubu administration where he serve. All he does is to make public statements of threats and promises of more crises in the State.

● On his part, the unflustered Governor Siminalayi Fubara has continued to advocate for peace and progress, and has achieved the following to alleviate the economic situation in the state, ie;

a). Gave all State Civil Servants an unprecedented N100k 2023 Christmas bonus.

b). Implemented the promotion of all Sate and Local Government Workers after over 10 years.

c). Employed thousands of young people into different State Government agencies and parastatals.

d). Recently approved the immidiate payment of N85k minimum wage (from N35k).

e). Increased the State’s Internal Generated Revenue (IGR.) with over 100%.

f). Provided N4b SME Support Fund for over 1000 SMEs in the State etc.

● The administration of Gov. Sim is also executing the biggest infrastructure projects in the state’s history without borrowing, ie;

a). The construction of a new Smart Cty in Eleme Local Government Area (Joint venture).

b). Offsetting of over N200 billion debt owed State Government contractors, by the previous Wike’s administration.

c). Construction of the N222.1billion, 12.5 kilometre Trans Kalabari Road, connecting several Island Communities in 3 Local Government Areas.

d). Construction of the N195.3billion, 50.15 kilometre Port Harcourt Ring Road, with several flyovers, traversing 6 Local Government Areas.

e). Construction of the N80.9 billion, 33.5 kilometre Elele – Omoku Road. And several other landmark achievements in Infrastructure, Health, Education, Agriculture, Sports and other sectors, countless to mention.

● No doubt, the political crises in Rivers State is a National concern, in view of that, it is of critical importance that while we make our judgements, opinions and views, there’s need to understand the depth of the situation as it concerns the people, and their awareness and preparedness to protect their wellbeing.

● According to Marquis de Lafayette, “True republicanism is the sovereignty of the people. There are natural and imprescriptible rights which an entire has no right to violate.”

Robertson Jack writes from the Old Port Harcourt Township.