A Worrisome Trend

I would want to believe that someone needs to remind the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike that he is no longer the governor of Rivers State. This writer is happy for him that President Tinubu elected to reward him for his infamous decision to fight not just Atiku Abubakar to a standstill but also the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP a platform that he has benefitted from immensely.
Perhaps one needs to remind the strong man of Abuja that he has flown the carpet of the PDP from local government chairman to Chief of Staff, to Minister of State to Governor of Rivers State to substantive Minister of the Federal Capital.
Perhaps, one needs to prod him out of selective amnesia to the effect that when he governed Rivers State, he brooked no form of pseudo-opposition or semblance of it, but rather crushed all manner of opposition with all pomp and pageantry.
So many business concerns of the opposition were closed because of their political stance. Certificates of occupancy were revoked because of the affiliation of the owners.
Persons perceived to be political enemies had an unexpected date with our correctional centres because of their dissentient nature.
Now, there is a new sheriff in town, known as Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In all irony, it was the former governor that insisted if Amaopusenibo Sim Fubara didn’t emerge as governor of the state, the heavens would fall. Few months into the tenure of Governor Sim Fubara, the golden man is no longer good. He must be removed at all cost. What has gone awry?
A preponderant majority of Rivers people are shouting themselves hoarse, leave Governor Sim Fubara alone! One fellow who has impressed me in this battle of political supremacy is, the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Chijioke Ihunwo who spelt out in clear terms, ‘the Ikwerres have been governors of the state through Celestine Omehia, Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike spanning 16 years. Our brothers in other ethnic groups gave us their support. Now, is the time for the Ikwerre ethnic group to support the riverine as a Riverine man is now the governor of the state’?
The propensity of Nyesom Wike and his horde of supporters to harass and hound, a sitting governor, threatening fire and brimstone to unseat him and throw him under the bus is nothing short of uncharitable and definitely a worrisome trend.
The governor of Rivers State needs all the concentration he can muster in order to steer the ship of state to the right destination. Regardless of the differences between the former governor and Governor Sim Fubara, it is expected by rational minds that Nyesom Wike having played a pivotal role in the emergence of Governor Sim Fubara would do anything within his power to make Governor Fubara to succeed on all fronts.
It is not fitting for the FCT Minister to be at the arrowhead of an amalgam of forces bonded by an unwavering desire to chase him out of office. Unless we are collective amnesiacs, when Wike was at the helm of affairs, nobody wrestled him to the ground with intent to oust him from office. If my memory serves me right, all hands were on deck to ensure that his government succeeds. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
Those who opposed Wike’s administration faced the full weight of government.
This is a clarion call for all the political apologists and disciples of Nyesom Wike to sheathe their swords and join forces with Governor Sim Fubara in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. No matter how caustic the political fight has degenerated into, there can always be a truce and a ceasefire.
– Sammie Adokiye.