It is funny how anyone can support Sim Fubara, the now suspended governor of Rivers State, who in all intents and purposes lacks the charisma, grace, and tact to play the highly intriguing, highwire, winner-takes-all game of politics, all because they loathe Nyesom Wike, and his abrasive methods, cum loquacious nature.
Agreeing without conceding that Wike is bad and evil, the question to ask is, did he suddenly become that overnight, such that Fubara didn’t know when he was agreeing to be governor under Wike’s “terms and conditions”? or is it a game of using the godfather to grab power first, then ditch him later on?
The last I checked, there are about 6 million people in Rivers State, yet God used this same loathed Wike to mobilise men, materials, and machinery to ensure Fubara became governor, at a time when majority of his newfound support cast stood against him just because they dislike Wike.
I’m yet to see any godfather, anywhere in the world, who’ll watch on helplessly, as his godson, now turncoat, decimates the same structure that produced him. No one will, not even Fubara’s newfound allies.
As governor, Fubara was supposed to be circumspect, particularly when he’s lost at the Supreme Court. He should have found a way to negotiate discreetly behind the scenes to find a way out. Isn’t that what stooping to conquer is all about?
You couldn’t have seized people’s salaries and allowances for over a year, demolished the House of Assembly Complex, and deliberately undermined them, yet, expect them to warm up to you, like a returning prodigal son, simply because the Supreme Court forced you to relate with them.
As for those castigating President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency, I don’t know what else they’d have him do? This same man mediated initially, coming up with resolutions which were initially signed by all parties, only for same to be repudiated by the Governor on the advice of the Pan Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF) and his Wike-loathing band, who questioned the president’s powers to mediate, and even went ahead to sue him!
As per the declaration of emergency rule, I’m on all fours with Mr. President, as that appears the only reasonable way to restore law and order and forestall impending violence, which had already been triggered by the resumed bombings of oil infrastructure. No commander-in-chief worth his name and high office will sit back and watch law and order thrown to the dogs!
For those affected, I’m sure it is within their rights to head to the courts to contest the legality or otherwise of the sacking the state’s executive and legislature. That, to me, can only deepen our legal jurisprudence.
Until the determination of that, I urge Fubara to enjoy his six months leave, as he uses that time to learn the ethos of political relationship management, which he obviously lacks, while he avails himself a copy of Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power, which he needs to devour thoroughly.
Dr. Adeoye, a public affairs analyst writes from Ibadan
