As South-South stakeholders respond to President Bola Tinubu’s recent intervention to stop the impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the political tug-of-war in Rivers State continues to draw conflicting viewpoints.
While some praised the President’s efforts to bring peace back to the oil-rich state, others questioned the validity and fairness of his action, particularly in light of mounting worries about Nyesom Wike’s political supremacy as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In an interview with Vanguard, Joseph Ambakaderimo, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Community Committee of Oil and Gas Producing Areas of the Niger Delta States and convener of the South-South Reawakening Group, commended Tinubu as “a smart politician who knows what he wants and goes all out for it.”
Ambakaderimo praised the President’s efforts to prevent Fubara from being impeached once more, but cautioned Tinubu to “be very careful about those pushing him against the FCT Minister, Wike.”
He claimed that Wike is to Tinubu what former President Obasanjo was to the late Tony Anenih.
Additionally, Ambakaderimo asserted that Governor Fubara lacks the political clout to produce the kind of electoral outcomes Wike was able to obtain for the APC in the national elections of 2023.
“Only Wike and Fubara can resolve their issues, not the President or anyone else,” he declared. I think the President’s stance is in the best interests of Rivers State and its citizens as a whole.
Omenazu: “Tinubu’s Action Is Not Presidential”
In stark contrast, President Tinubu’s handling of the issue was criticized by Dr. Jackson Omenazu, Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, who said it lacked presidential finesse.
He cautioned that in order to fully comprehend Tinubu’s political approach, it needed be studied.
According to the APC’s manifesto, two leaders cannot hold the same office in the same state. Why is Fubara unable to govern Rivers State politically? Does this occur in other states under APC control? Omenazu asked.
He said that “Governor Fubara is highly subjugated” and criticized the President for not upholding equity and fairness.
“Tinubu’s action is insufficiently presidential.” He had previously served as governor. Wike served as governor as well. He questioned, “Were they treated the same way they are treating Fubara today?”
Omenazu emphasized that the President does not have the constitutional authority to choose a state’s political head; only the APC’s national chairman does.
