Finally, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shoved aside the carrot and wielded the big stick over the Rivers State conundrum leaving the governor and his deputy as casualties.
We cannot say this is the nemesis for now, but the truth is that is what it seems. This is because, over the last few months’ public opinion has been strident calling on Governor Siminalaye Fubara to be wary of praise singers, pressure groups, bootlickers, and the assorted hangers-on who throng the government house persuading him to persist in the bitter fight against his predecessor. The groundswell of opinion was such that you do not bite the hands that fed you and shove away the ladder with which you climbed to your apogee. Siminalaye Fubara, a complete gentleman to the core, has been obediently serving his former boss Nyesom Wike with utmost diligence; he never lost focus; some say that was because he wasn’t in charge and so attracted fewer friends. Wike, a rabid combatant by any angle you look at him thought he had his man Friday intact and proceeded to strike a deal to bring him, wait a minute, to deputize for him—and not to function as real governor! In other words, Wike wanted Fubara to serve Rivers State through his eagle-eye supervision! Since no one was there, only the duo can tell what happened when this agreement was struck.
But, from experience, there would have been clinking of glasses and Fubara must have told his wife and supporters the good news of his getting the ticket. They would have made calculations and planned how to ‘enjoy’ the incoming wealth with fanfare. Some may have ‘prayed’ silently for Wike not to change his mind and nominate another fellow. And so, truly, the elections came and Wike kept to his word and against the odds, ensured that Fubara got installed. Under that dispensation, anyone in that situation would have relaxed and enjoyed the euphoria of the new status—as the number one citizen of a State. In a volatile country like Nigeria, this should be considered as a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity! It was therefore with disbelief to see the rumble followed just days after the swearing-in ceremony. Instead of the bliss and the fanfare that ought to be, political observers were treated to a harsh exchange of words from both the Wike and Fubara camps; only a thin thread separated the men from resorting to street brawls.
Neither side would go on to surrender until hangers-on took over and began calling Fubara “sitting governor”. They said all sorts including ascribing to him the power of a demi-god! They rallied the erstwhile powerful men in the State to prevail on the matter and dragged the militias into the game. Haba! This wasn’t the plan at the initial beginning when Wike quietly picked Fubara as his successor. So why this gamble with authority and Fubara thinking that he was ‘actually’ in charge? I bet, his wife must have been disappointed that peace had departed from their household leaving the booming sounds of warfare! Who would have imagined this to be so? In no time, Port Harcourt became a Mecca for those whose trade was to extort money from ‘men in power’. They came from all corners, Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna, all claiming to have the magic wand to unseat Fubara’s adversary in Wike.
Now, instead of spending for the general public, Fubara was spending for the few who lined their pockets, parading themselves at the presidential Hotel with expensive iPhones and briefcases. When matters got to a head, we wrote an article advising Fubara to forget about ‘confronting’ his boss; what we got was the same Fubara coming out to say, he has a lot against Wike, and he would soon spill to Nigerians about it. Of course, that was naïve of him to do that. Nigerians’ only language is ‘bring the cash’ and forget about the issue! Nigerians want to ‘eat’ and ‘feed’ their children not to get embroiled in useless wars that would not serve their interests! Nothing Fubara disclosed was new to the world; even Fubara himself would soon answer to EFCC! Sadly, Fubara is not the combative type.
As said before, he has no fighting spirit; you can see it from his appearance. If anything, his expression conveys fear and limitation; even his manner of speaking; call him a lamb and you might be right. But take a look at the fierce-looking Wike; his eyes are bloodshot and his expression deadpan; I have seen commanding military officers who lead artillery or Infantry brigades; Wike looks like one of them; his appearance anywhere spells trouble and keeps you on the edge; On one occasion, I saw him at close range during a ceremony; he tried to crack a joke, but it was so dry, his face immediately turned awry and his eyes shown like wet stones! He tried to laugh, but instead, I saw a scowl and a frown! Then in his coarse voice, he spoke something that rattled the audience and laughed in a way that reminded you of hyenas in the thick forest! That is the man Fubara sought to resist.
And you all know the Hyena never gives up; it will stalk its prey for miles until the strike; that’s what Wike has done with the State of Emergency that swept Fubara into the cooler for the next six months! What a sad denouement to an otherwise well-written script! Now, all the cheerleaders would depart from Fubara and his wife; in a little while, he would be left alone to bemoan his fate.
Attention would now be shifted to the new man on the beat. Those who know him and their families would now step in to rifle the treasury; that’s what happens in Nigeria and that’s what we are! There is simply no mercy for those who have fallen! Fubara did not play his cards right and so he got caught. He is lucky this is not the end; he still has a chance to redeem himself. No matter what people say, in Nigeria today, the best road to travel is to keep to yourself. Those cheerleaders are mere sycophants. They will stop at nothing to dribble you to give them handouts.
And when that happens they relapse into hotels and women! This is one lesson too much to learn. It is not worth the trouble of fighting a lost battle. Rivers State is not for Fubara or Wike; Rivers State, like the other 35 States in Nigeria belongs to strongholds; forces with the means to grab, and run, with the levers of power. Like the 35 other States, Rivers State will always be there for ages; Fubara should go in and complete his tenure peacefully and return to his family. At the ripe age, he would retire honorably as one of those who governed the State; he should never retire as one who was dismissed, no matter the challenges. He should be wise.
