A netizen with the name Ijuye Telescopic has charged Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers state to be firm now that the Supreme Court case is over.
Telescopic gave the charge in a post captioned ”Aftermath of supreme court judgement. Let’s now have a firm and decisive governor in Rivers state. No more lily heart”, on his facebook page.
Recalling the genesis of the political crisis in the state and where things stand now, he wrote; ”Stories about disagreements between Gov. Fubara and his benefactor, ex-governor Nyesom Wike surfaced in the first month of Gov. Fubara’s tenure.
”Gossips and Rumours everywhere: Wike slapped Fubara. Wike handpicked all the officers of the House of Assembly. Wike appointed all the commissioners and advisers. Wike confiscated and stopped Fubara from using the official aircraft. Wike banned Fubara from attending PDP governors’ meeting. Wike put a ceiling on money Fubara can spend. Gov. Fubara wanted to resign in frustration.
”It’s a lie, Fubara and Wike shouted albeit in public. There is no rift between us. It is the figment of the imagination of naysayers, they said, even as a viral video showed Fubara looking at Wike in anger and disdain because the former governor walked pass him, breaching protocol. Then … Gbam! Baaaang! Rivers State woke up one morning with a blast. The hallowed chambers of the House of Assembly was in flames. The Police sprayed water on Governor Fubara and his crowd on their way to inspect the burnt building very early in the morning. 27 Lawmakers removed the Leader of the House, Edison Ehie and served impeachment notice on Gov. Fubara. 4 Lawmakers removed the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and elected Edison Ehie as new Speaker.
” Rivers State is plunged into a political crisis that is swifter than the swiftest river. Questions are: Why was the hallowed chambers of the Assembly burnt and hurriedly demolished? No investigation. No report made to the public. Why would the Police disrespect a sitting governor? Why would the governor be served an impeachment notice? What offence did he commit?
”The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike said that Governor Fubara started it all by scheming to remove the Speaker. Supporters of Gov. Fubara said Wike demanded 25% of the state’s monthly allocation. That Wike is micromanaging the state. Even as Gov. Fubara said, it was a family disagreement between father and son, it is one day, one new trouble.
”The battle line is drawn. Rivers State is in a full-blown political crisis. Two power blocs fighting for supremacy. One for Wike and the other for SIM.Two factions of the State House of Assembly. One led by Amaewhule with 27 members and the other by Edison Ehie will just 4 members. They removed and suspended the leadership of each other.
”They held plenaries at different locations. One inside the burnt Assembly Complex and the other inside Government House. Which is the legitimate faction of the House of Assembly? How would Gov. Fubara get the 2024 State budget passed? A constitutional crisis is in the offing.
”Then news broke: 27 Pro-Wike lawmakers announced their defection from PDP to APC in plenary. They say there is crisis in the PDP over the office of the National Secretary. It was like scoring an own goal in a cup final.
”Immediately, factional Speaker Edison Ehie declared their seats vacant and wrote to INEC to conduct by-elections. They did not announce their defection before him as Speaker. He was not even present at their sitting. Edison Ehie approached a Port Harcourt High Court and got an order of interim injunction restraining the Amaewhule-led faction from preventing, disrupting and interfering with the legislative duties of his faction. He got legal backing.
”Gov. Fubara presented a 800 billion 2024 budget before the Ehie-led 4 lawmakers and they speedily approved 800 billion of public money to be spent without scrutiny, without public hearing. Just like that.
”The political rift got bigger. The sloganeering got wider. Asawana! SIM is Ijaw and must be protected. He was freely elected. He must exercise his mandate. Wike does not own Rivers State! Rivers State must be liberated! Say no to godfathers!
”The 25 lawmakers must vacate their seats. No to interference by the President! The eight-point resolution is slavery. The noise gets louder and deafening. Groups are formed daily. People threatened to go to court. Others went to court. Some lost in court. Elders, stakeholders and civil society. After years of exclusivity and dictatorship, everybody wants to be heard and be relevant.
”But why is Gov. Fubara conceding and succumbing to every demand from his traducers? Is SIM seeing what we cannot see? Does SIM know what we don’t know? What about Edison Ehie? Why did he just disappear? Why is Wike bestriding Rivers State as a Colossus? These are questions the Elders should worry about. While they were grandstanding, Edison Ehie quietly resigned his position as factional Speaker and as member of the House of Assembly. Whilst Rivers youths were shouting “Liberation” the Pro-SIM group withdrew all their cases in court. Civil society groups were still yelling “No to godfatherism” when Gov. Fubara paid the 27 lawmakers their salaries and entitlements. People were still questioning if Wike owns Rivers State, when 9 commissioner nominees were sent to the Speaker Amaewhule-led House. Commissioners who looked Gov. Fubara in the face and called his bluff.
”One elephant has left the house, the other one by the grace of God will be resolved” That was how Gov. SIM Fubara summed up his victory at the Supreme Court. The governor had tried to evict the other elephant. He ordered the demolition of their burnt hallowed chambers. These are the 25/27 members of the House of Assembly They are the fulcrum on which the pro-Wike group rests They have devastating powers like the Supreme Court They are the remaining avenue to remove the governor. Stubborn! They hold plenaries inside the legislative quarters. Their number guarantees their safety within the premises. They say the governor must submit the 2024 budget to them. They got court judgment nullifying the budget passed by the Ehie-led faction of 4 members.
”A budget already signed by the governor. They passed four bills aimed at protecting their group. The governor has refused to sign. They have the numbers to override the governor. As it stands, the Governor may have to live with this elephant.
”Many cases are pending in court against these lawmakers. Elders, lawyers and civil society groups have gone to court. But it is the lawmakers thathave secured favourable court judgments. The Supreme Court judgment was most relieving to SIM and his supporters. The case was crucially disturbing. It was a huge elephant.It was a potential soccer punch.The finality of its outcome is fatal and SIM knew it.
”The situation was different at the Election Tribunal It was different also at the Appeal Court, Then Wike was still around. But things are falling apart. Rumours ran rife. The fear was palpable. Anything could happen. To the relief of many, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of SIM and brought all attempts to oust him via the courts to a fruitless end.
”But one elephant remains in the house and Gov. Fubara has started the process to calm this elephant. In his speech to newsmen, he thanked President Tinubu. He thanked his “Oga”, Nyesom Wike too. The governor has since opened official communication with the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. In a state broadcast, he extended an olive branch to all. He called on the opposition to join his government. He promised to continue toexplore the path of peace.
”The governor has sworn in the nine returning commissioners. These are Wike loyalties. He waited for the Supreme Court victory He wanted to be sure that he was still governor, He wanted to be sure that the other side was sincere, He wanted to be sure that he still has the red biro.
”The governor needs to do more. He has to call on his supporters to toe his path of peace. The pro-Wike group must keep to their side of the bargain.They should allow peace return to our dear state. Those who have jumped into the fray should take a cue from the governor. He has the momentum and the people’s support yet he is making the most sacrifices. Elders, lawyers, stakeholders and groups should support the Governor to keep the state calm”.