The word "Democracy" as defined in it elementary form simply means 'the government of the people by the people and for the people'. The world over recognizes democracy as government built on the majority's decision. In Nigeria, since the inception of this republic, led by the peoples democratic party, has redefined democracy.
We had a situation where in the governor's forum election with 36 members, 16 members won the election and the 19 members failed. The head of the Nigerian government led by the pdp president recognized such election. Though this is not the intent of this article. Today the Lagos state APC is grateful and eulogizes the person of Chf. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Why?
BAT as he is fondly called has and is still providing leadership in the southwest of Nigeria. He was the only governor in the south west who could not be defeated in the 2003 election organised by the Chf. Olusegun Obasanjo/pdp led government. His followers cut across the south west to north central region of the country. In spite of the Nigerian law and constitution, his followers believe and trusted in his judgment. Today, his leadership has produced numerous Nigerian leaders in and outside the southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria to the envy of other regions. And these are the same followers who are clamoring for a south west Nigerian president to be led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What a great feat. Does it imply that the Nigerian law only operate outside the southwest? No. It is because the people of southwest believe in leadership and may not be so much carried away by self interest. The south westerners are Nigerians. They love money, fame and authority. They are also the problems of Nigeria. They also want everything for themselves. Yes. But they listen to the voice of reason. The south south? kikikikikiki
The people of the south south mostly the Niger Deltans is the region with the exceptional character of "IT MOST BE ME AND ME ALONE". In my opinion, this is the most dangerous region. The elders in this region can't be differentiated from the the youths. Thieves in different disguise. Conspiracy with international oil companies' agents. Disobedience to civil rule and to the amalgamation protocols. Greed to impoverish her own people. This is the crux of this article and Rivers state in retrospect.. Rivers state, just like other states in Nigeria is pluralize along ethnic line. In this case, the riverine and upland dichotomy.
History has it that Rivers state was created on the 27th, May 1967. The governors of the state and duration of their tenure is as follows:
Name Title Took Office
Alfred Diete-Spiff Military Governor 28 May 1967
Zamani Lekwot Military Governor July 1975
Suleiman Saidu Military Governor July 1978
Chf Melford Okilo Governor 1979-1983
Fidelis Oyakhilome Military Governor January 1984
Chf. Rufus Ada George Governor 1992-1993
Dr Peter Otunaya Odili Governor 1999-2007
Rt.Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi Governor 2007-2015
Chf. Barr. Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike Governor 2015-
From the analysis above, it shows that the riverine have governed the old Rivers state for about four years and twenty five months. Since the creation of the new Rivers state, the riverine have not govern the state. Why?
Power, like they say is not dash. It is negotiated. It is negotiated across the interest group. It is gotten when everyone agreed. It is gotten and used for the development of all. It gives everyone the sense of belonging. Power, when properly gotten and used, gives everyone peace. But is it what we are witnessing in Rivers state today?
Fmr Gov. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi recognized this important aspect of politics and decided that after his government, he will hand over to the the riverine people to also give them a sense of belonging. It was a dare devil decision owing to the power that be at that time. The riverine people were already brainwashed that the APC for which Amaechi intend to give power to the riverine was responsible for the ousting of their son Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from the state house. And so whatever he may have in mind was not acceptable. Minister Nyesom Wike became the instrument for which that dream could not be actualized in 2015. Close to 2019, a powerful member of the APC, Sen Magnus Ngei Abe became another instrument which scuttled the Riverine from becoming the governor of Rivers state. 2023 is approaching, who is the next person standing against the riverine ambition?
Democracy in all intent and purpose is for the majority of the people to have their way. And for the minority to have their say. Not the other way round. To get power according to the Nigerian constitution, a political party must be involved. The party with the highest votes get elected. That is the law.
The leadership tussle in Rivers APC is as a result of the ignorance of the principle of democracy where the majority is the king. It is pretty clear that the promoters of these conflict are unaware that Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe does not have the numbers to take over the leadership of Rivers APC. Whether by himself or by proxy. Take for instance the Justice George Omeriji"s judgment which empowered Barr. Igochukwu Aguma to take over the leadership of Rivers APC and made all the State Working Committee members as members. Justice Omeriji and Igo Aguma were not aware or pretended not to be aware that the SWC members in Rivers APC are 38 in number. Of this 38, 10 belong to the Sen. Magnus Abe faction of the the party. What else do we need if not peace?
It is very clear or so we believe that the ruling party in Rivers state does not have the capacity to keep ruling the state owing to the magnitude of corruption, nepotism and cluelessness of the government. This is proven by the intractable and unending cases witness by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC in Rivers state ably led by His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sir Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the honorable minister of transportation, who is insisting that Rivers people deserved a better deal. Better deal from where he left the state in 2015. Has anything changed today? The party also believed that moving power to the riverine part of the state is fair. This is where some members of the party from
the upland sold out to the ruling party and kept undermining the leadership of Rivers APC by using the compromised courts. The resources meant to develop the state is used to block the opposition from presenting a better alternative.
Needless to say Rivers people love Chibuike Amaechi because he has shown unwavering leadership. He also love the the leadership quality of Ahmed Bola Tinubu and want Rivers state to work like Lagos state.
Today, we are aware that Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe has become the godson of Chf. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Can he accept BAT's decisions in all time? Tinubu is the political jagaban of the west today, it was because his followers believe in him. Some of his decisions are quite painful but his followers abide by it and not resorting to the rule of law. Chibuike Amaechi is the leader in Rivers state. His decisions too are sometimes painful. But if we must enjoy what the followers of Bola Ahmed Tinubu are enjoying in the west, we should stick to those principles of his. A people without leader are lost. The law and law courts are not just for Rivers people but for Nigerians.
We must seek peace. 2023 is near.
kikikikikikiki
Odumu Jonah
22-07-2020
