RIVERS STATE POLITICAL CRISIS AND IT’S ADVANTAGE TO LAGOS STATE ECONOMIC MONOPOLY: An in-depth analysis of President Tinubu’s Passivity

By Robertson Jack

• ● This analysis explores the pre 2023 Presidential election fears expressed by majority of the people of Rivers State about President Tinubu’s sincerity to revive the “Sea Ports” and improve the economy of the State and Niger Delta Region, against the sustainance of the surfeit of activities at the Lagos State Sea Ports and its economic monopoly.
• ● It examines the display of Political and Judiciary manipulations, and the consequences of prioritizing sectional and individual interests over National peace and progress.

● EMPIRICAL DATA.

1). When the 27 former Rivers State lawmakers (loyal to the FCT. Minister) attempted to impeach Gov. Siminalaye Fubara on the 30th of October, 2023, well meaning Nigerians expected President Tinubu to immediately intervene and condemn the unjustified impeachment attempt, considering the severe effects allowing it to foster would have on the masses who are already in a torturous economic situation caused by the fuel subsidy removal, But he rather kept silent for over a month.

2). Precisely on the 18th of December, 2023, President Tinubu eventually invited the warring factions for a peace meeting; that meeting produced the famous Presidential Peace Accord that has been described by many Nigerians as a death sentence against Governor Fubara.

3). During the meeting, President Tinubu never admonished the former lawmakers for the unjustified attempted impeachment against the governor, but it was said that he reprimanded governor Fubara for what he described as usurping the powers of the legislature.

4). Accoutred with the knowledge of the importance of peace for progress and development to thrive, and the grit to alleviate the plight of Rivers people, governor Fubara after the said meeting commenced substantial implemetations of the Presidential Peace Accord, not minding its detriment and unconstitutionalism.

5). Some of the actions governor Fubara took to implement the said agreements were;
a). Withdrawal of lawsuits against the 27 lawmakers whom had automatically lost their seats (as provided by the constitution), for defecting from the PDP to APC.
b). Reappointment of 9 pro-Wike Commissioners who had earlier resigned from his cabinet as a result of their loyalty to the FCT. Minister.
c). Recognising the defected 27 lawmakers, even though it was unconstitutional to do so, etc.

6). On their part, the pro Wike lawmakers brazenly disobeyed the Presidential Peace Accord, commenced the immediate repealing of existing laws and making of alien laws that are intended to strip the governor of his powers and distract him from delivering on his mandate, ie;
a). Continued their lawsuits against governor Fubara.
c). Repealed the powers of the governor to make appointments and fire appointees of his government.
c). Passed a law to elongate tenures of pro Wike elected Local Government Chairmen etc.

7). While all these were going on, hoodlums were engaged to carry out regular violent protests against the governor, attack gatherings of supporters of the governor and destroy State and Local Government properties, all in a bid to instigate crisis to justify their call for a state of emergency; liveraging on the clear bias and backings from the Nigerian Police, the Federal High Courts and other arms and agencies of the Federal government, as explicated by the recent Federal High Court rulling on the stoppage of the state’s statutory monthly allocation. The manner the proceedings went and the disregard to its precarious effects on the poverty stricken masses and the legendary economic recovery policies of the administration of Governor Fubara is unfortunate.

8). In his determination to sustain the crisis, remove governor Fubara from office and plant a stooge as governor that will submit the state resources to him, the FCT. Minister attends weekly programs (sponsored by him) in the state where he makes public statements of threats to the peace and progress of the state.

● QUERY.

1). Why, despite the multiple calls by well meaning Nigerians, for President Tinubu to call Wike (his appointee) to order for instigating crisis and making several inflamatory statements and threats to the peace of Rivers State he has not done so?
2). Will it be wrong at this point to conclude that the pre election fears of Rivers people was not spurious?

THE STATE OF AFFAIRS.

1). Based on the forgoing, the Tinubu administration appears unwilling to resuscitate the Rivers State’s Sea Ports or carry out any significant project in the state that will improve its economy, because from all manifestations, the political crisis seem to be fueled by Lagos forces in Aso Rock to create reasons to justify their planned neglect, while Lagos State continues to enjoy economic monopoly.

INSIGHT

1). On the 6th of September, 2024, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, an indigene of Rivers State jaw-droppingly resigned as President Tinubu’s Spokesman shortly after he granted an interview on TVC News where he insisted that the President will not take sides in the political crisis in Rivers State, but will rather ensure that the rights of the people to enjoy good governance and other democratic dividends are protected. Many Nigerians have linked his forced resignation to his position on the crisis in Rivers State.
2). On the 12th of August, 2022, while commissioning the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters as a special guest, President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila (then House of Reps. Speaker) publicly encouraged Wike to remain in PDP and ensure that the crisis in the party is unresolved. This statement of the President’s Chief of Staff gives a clue of what is playing out in Rivers State today.

● CONSEQUENCE

The people of Rivers State are prepared and fully aware that their freedom from oppression and marginalisation is not a gift from the Federal Government, but a right that MUST be won, hence they will defend the mandate freely given to governor Fubara aka The Liberator by any means necessary, and that may have a multiplier effect on the Nation’s economy.

Robertson Jack writes from the Old Port Harcourt Township.