Wike, Akpabio, Fubara and 2027

By Chris Eze, Port Harcourt

The recent burial of the late Chief Executive Officer of Asset Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe at Isiokpo, Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State has again brought to the fore the contention for the soul of Rivers State ahead of 2027 general elections.

At the event which attracted the crème de la crème in the country and beyond, Senate President, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio bereft of all scruples had turned a supposedly mournful atmosphere into a political battle ground by mischievously misconstruing a very innocuous remark by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

The Rivers Governor when called upon to speak at the funeral had waxed philosophical by saying: “This one has to do with our political class, what is all this trouble all about? You want to kill, you want to bury, what is all this struggle about?”

The Governor ended his speech without calling anybody’s name. He was apparently reflecting on the emptiness of life, looking at the personae of late Herbert Wigwe and all he had achieved in his life only to be brought back in a carton as a dead man.  

But the Senate President would have none of that. Throwing caution overboard, he went for the kill, directing his snout at Gov. Fubara as if he had a personal axe to grind with the Rivers governor.

Akpabio told the story of what transpired between him and one time deputy governor of his state (Akwa Ibom) when he (Akpabio) wanted to run for the office of deputy governor. He said the then deputy governor had advised him to perish the thought of eying the office of deputy governor because there was nothing attractive in the office, even when he (the sitting deputy governor) was also not willing to let go of the office.

Then turning to Gov. Fubara, Akpabio said, “If there is nothing in political struggle, don’t struggle”, which could mean that Fubara should do well to relinquish the office of governor or back out after the completion of his first term.

Akpabio’s snide remarks aimed at Gov. Fubara were further amplification of the campaign he started recently in Tai Local Government Area when the senator representing Rivers South East district, Chief Barry Mpigi had a thanksgiving attended by Akpabio, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike and other National Assembly members across the country.

At the event, Akpabio who now gives himself out as the Acolyte-in- Chief to the former Rivers governor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike without any prompting, urged Rivers people to pick their next governor from the Ogoni axis of the state, even when Sim Fubara the incumbent governor who hails from Opobo is from the same senatorial district as the Ogonis.

Perhaps the senate president who has generated more controversy as the leader of the National Assembly than any of his predecessors is obsessed by his position as the highest ranking politician from the South – South geo-political zone in the present dispensation by his position as the senate president and is often in a hurry to rub it in whenever he holds the microphone in public. He even protested that the presidential candidate of Labour Party in last year’s election, Mr. Peter Obi was given more ovation than him in a funeral ceremony!

As it appears, Akpabio and his adopted god father, the FCT minister had arrived the political stage dancing even when rehearsals for the song they would dance had not even started. They were already beating drums ahead of 2027 elections forgetting that they are mere mortals who depend on the mercy and grace of God to see the next day.

For the FCT minister, he appears to have forgotten too soon how he arrived in politics. He was literally carved out of the political loins of Dr. Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State, but he is now banging on the table and claiming lordship on political affairs in the state.

Yes, Wike was instrumental to the emergence of Sim as governor. But someone else has always been responsible for the emergence of another person as governor. Omehia, Amaechi, Wike among others are all products of Odilinomics in Rivers politics. But Wike is the only one fighting with all the arsenals he could muster to deconstruct whom he anointed to the chagrin of well meaning Nigerians.

At the Barry Mpigi thanksgiving, Wike had started the lyrics which Akpabio is now dancing very gleefully. Mounting the podium then in Tai at the thanksgiving, Wike boasted of the strength of his ‘allied forces’ waiting to flush out Fubara in 2027.  

He said, “With the forces we have, I don’t know of anybody who can challenge us. I can tell you it is like tomorrow is 2027. For me it is still very far. I can’t wait. The two leadership of the party, APC is here, PDP is here, where can you find that leadership unity? Which state? It is only in Rivers State that you can find that unity.

“And that is what many people don’t like. When they see people united and working together, they find how to make sure they are divided, but since we know, we have refused to be divided.

“This is the only state where the leading party will win for president; the opposition party will take National Assembly in election that was done the same time, same minute and same hour. That is uncommon”, the FCT minister maintained.

Interestingly, Governor Fubara has displayed uncommon equanimity in the face of all the intimidation and unprovoked hostility; even with a disposition to quit the office of governor if that would entrench peace in the state.

The governor’s peaceful mien has continued to earn accolades and draw followership to him. The Silverbird Group recently bestowed a Peace Advocate Award on the governor in recognition of his peaceful disposition in the face of the unwarranted attacks by the FCT minister and his followers.

The Simplified Movement, a voluntary organization formed by lovers of the governor in the 23 local government areas of the state is spreading like a wild fire and winning converts from core Wike strongholds.  The Grassroots Development Initiative, GDI, formed by Wike in 2015 and used as a vehicle to ride to power is being depleted by the Simplified Movement as many leaders of the GDI have embraced the Movement and dumped Wike.

Recently, Governor Sim received former coordinators of GDI in 12 local government areas of the state who came to pledge loyalty to his administration. The coordinators represent Obio Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari Toru and Akuku-Toru local government areas.

The former coordinator in Obio/Akpor, (Wike’s stronghold) Prince (Hon.) Collins Onunwo Esq. who led a strong delegation of former members of GDI All Coordinators Forum on a solidarity visit to Governor Fubara in Government House said they decided to resign their leadership positions in GDI in order to join the Simplified Movement in the interest of Rivers people.

Onunwo who was a former chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA later told newsmen that the key mission of GDI was to protect, defend and promote the interest of Rivers State and its people, adding that having freely given their votes and mandate to Governor Fubara, and affirmed by the Supreme Court, GDI has no other option than to support the Governor to succeed.

He vowed the determination and dedication of the former GDI coordinators to the success of the policies and programs of the Fubara led administration.

Onunwo said, “We want the public, Rivers people and all Nigerians to know that GDI is the group founded by the former governor and now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. That group brought him to power in 2015 and supported his ambition in 2019. That group is his strength.

“But today, we and our supporters have decided we are no longer members of GDI. The reason is simple: we want to be with Rivers people. Rivers interest is paramount….”

Observers in Rivers State predict an imminent collapse of the Wike structure which the FCT minister is so boastful about. Others see in Fubara  a David who God has brought to tame and eclipse the arrogant Goliath which Wike typifies. 2027 beckons…..