•Gov returns to office two days after emergency rule ended
•I’ve forgiven Fubara – Wike
•Present commissioner nominees’ list, budget immediately, Assembly tells governor
•Tension persists over appointments, analysts say
Although Governor Fubara has returned to office after the six-month emergency rule ended in Rivers State, analysts say that the supposed peace brokered by President Tinubu is fragile, as indications within 24 hours of the return of democratic governance in the state, is like a time bomb, just waiting to explode, JIBRIN NDANUSA writes.
Although the six months long emergency rule in the oil rich Rivers state was suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu effective midnight on September 17, Governor Siminalayi Fubara did not return to the state until about 36 hours later on Friday, September 19. This delay was despite the fact that it was already common knowledge that the state of emergency imposed on March 18, would not be extended.
To many, this delay is a pointer to the fact that the last is yet to be heard of the feud between the godfather and his godson.
Meanwhile, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, had when he appeared as a guest on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television on Thursday, said that he has forgiven Governor Fubara and they have been communicating.
We have been speaking. I dont talk to a man I have not forgiven, so I have forgiven him. Im not a politician that says one thing here and does another different thing tomorrow. If I tell you were quarrelling then we are quarrelling, and if I said everything is over, then its over.
You heard what the Speaker of the state assembly said. We have to move forward. He said Mr Governor, send the list of your commissioners so that the state can move forward. All we are saying is that there are people who dont like peace, he had said.
Despite Wikes statement, however, analysts say the rift between him and Fubara is yet to abate despite the façade. It was gathered that Wike, who travelled to London, the United Kingdom, rushed down to Abuja to meet with Fubara to conclude discussions on some outstanding matters, topical among which was the appointment of commissioners and other political appointees, including personal aides to the governor.
According to reliable sources, out of over 17 commissioner positions in Rivers, the FCT minister named 10 nominees, including nominees for the positions of commissioners for finance, works, and health, to the governor for presentation to the state House of Assembly. This was in addition to the positions of Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and the Chief of Staff, COS, to the governor, prompting the governor to have boldly objected and asked Wike why he would nominate the SSG and his own Chief of Staff, a supposed personal staff of his.
Recall that the appointment of COS for Governor Fubara was part of the main causes for the last crisis that led to the six months emergency rule and the imposition of a sole administrator on Rivers. The governors removal of the then COS and replacement with Edison Ehie, who resigned as Speaker of the state legislature, escalated the political imbroglio between the two disaffected bedfellows.
So it was no surprise that Fubara objected to Wikes new maneuvering, insisting that there was no way the FCT minister could decide who gets the positions of the SSG and COS. Also, Fubara argued that it was the FCT Minister that nominated or sponsored councillors and chairmen of the 23 local government councils in the state, the state legislature, and influenced the appointments of virtually all the members of over 17 boards and parastatals.
“Besides, according to Fubara’s arguments, Wike also appointed through the sacked sole administrator, the chairmen, and members of the Governing Councils of all higher institutions in the state, our source said.
Moreover, while the list of appointees was yet to be resolved, the Martyns Amaewhule led House of Assembly, at its plenary sitting, directed the governor to present the list of his commissioner nominees immediately for screening and possible confirmation. They also asked him to immediately begin the process of putting together an Appropriation Law for the remaining part of the year.
Political observers are of the opinion that the supposed peace brokered by President Tinubu is fragile, as indications within 24 hours of the return of democratic governance in the state, is like a time bomb, just waiting to explode. Elders, Chiefs, and several groups and individuals have passionately called on Tinubu to take further steps to restore a lasting peace in the state by calling his FCT Minister to order.
Barely one hour after Governor Fubara resumed duties in Government House on Friday, Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, RIVELF, expressed gratitude to all the actors that made the return of peace in the state possible, while extending warm greetings of peace, strength, and renewed hope to the people of Rivers State following the lifting of a state of emergency by President Tinubu.
In a statement by the chairman of the Forum and former deputy governor of the state, Dr. Gabriel Toby, on behalf of the Forum, he thanked President Tinubu for heeding the advice of Nigerians by lifting the State of Emergency and restoring full democratic governance in the state.
As we welcome the return of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, Her Excellency, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, DSSRS and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Ameawhule, DSSRS and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, we are presented with a unique opportunity to reset and rebuild.
This is a moment for peace, sober reflection, forgiveness, rededication, and unity. A chance to heal wounds, restore trust, and refocus our energies towards the progress of our state and well-being of our people, Toby said.
He called on the Governor, members of the State House of Assembly, other political actors, and stakeholders to put aside bitterness, rebuild confidence in each other, and embrace reconciliation, adding that they should let the communities and factions replace anger with understanding, suspicion with trust, and resentment with renewed brotherhood.
Meanwhile, it was jubilation on the streets of Port Harcourt, on Thursday as residents and indigenes were thrown into celebration following the announcement of the end of emergency rule in the state the president.
When Fubara disembarked from his plane on Friday afternoon at the Port Harcourt International Airport, he was received by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and a massive crowd, who hailed him as the icon of peace.
The supporters, who thronged at the airport, were in jubilation as they received Fubara, with many of them shouting, We love you, our governor. When he was immediately ushered into his vehicle, and his convoy headed for the Government House in Port Harcourt, the mammoth crowd immediately headed to the Creek House too in their numbers, where they met an equally mammoth crowd already writing for the governor.
