What politics cannot unite, it disunites. Disagreement over the most basic facts has often been the fixture of Nigerian politics. It’s about convenience, not conviction, especially when godfather/godson conflict is involved. Not that politics in Rivers state in this game of convenience rather than conscience is the first of its kind, the ongoing disagreement between former Governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and his handpicked successor, Siminilaye Fubara provides somewhat an unusual opportunity for understanding the interplay between varied personalities and what drives their motivation. Two weeks ago in this column, I tried to recreate a web of chaos that has defined the godfather-godson relationship in the giddy politics of Nigeria.
If you are interested in the new brand of politics since Bola Tinubu became president, you better keep your eyes glued to Rivers politics, followed by what is unraveling in Kaduna state. For now, my focus is on Rivers state. And this is why: By every measure, Rivers state politics is the epicenter of the emerging power play. It’s blazing a trail of disruptive and intractable conflicts the outcome of which may be difficult to predict, at least not now. Events in recent weeks illustrate how much loyalty tests, rampant falsehoods and shifting of alliances are shaping political tumult in that oil-rich state. It’s worth recalling, even if briefly, the reference I made two weeks ago about “The Judas Goat”, the title of one of Perry Stone’s best-selling books. Perry is also the author of “Exposing Satan’s Playbook”. Put together, as it concerns Rivers politics, it’s about false friendships, betrayals. Put simply, it’s about, ‘No permanent friends, but permanent interests’. It’s about power and the lessons to learn from it. The lessons also fit, perhaps perfectly, into Law Number 2 in Robert Greene’s “48 Laws of Power”, which says, ‘Never put so much trust in friends. They will betray you more quickly…you have more to fear from friends than enemies”… Some questions have been asked recently: Is Wike losing grip on Rivers politics? Is his moment of influence passing away? These are legitimate questions for a man who for 8 years or more maintained a firm grip on Rivers politics. As we all know, Wike is not just a talker, he’s a tackler. Asked during a recent television interview with journalists in Abuja about his relationship with former Governor of the state(1999-2007), Dr Peter Odili, Wike said, “I no longer have a smooth relationship with him. As it’s today, politically, we don’t have good relationship. We don’t work together again. Yes, we have some political differences. For me, we have finished with this stage. It doesn’t mean that in the next stage, we won’t be in the same camp. He(Odili) took a decision, and I took a decision. But despite the political differences, I still consider Dr Odili as my father figure and political leader”.
It’s not clear when the rift between the two began and the cause. But those close to both men say it’s not unconnected with the current disagreement between Wike and his successor, Gov Fubara, and Odili’s refusal that the Governor should be impeached by the pro-Wike dominated state House of Assembly. From his own admission, Odili took a position, just as Wike took a different stance. Wike may have felt so disappointed with the decision of his now enstranged political father and leader not to support the impeachment of Fubara. It does happen every so often in politics. That’s why politics is not given to simple theorising. Odili’s stance still rankles Wike, making him(Wike) to recall, albeit in pain, the edifices he built and named after Dr Odili and his wife, Mary Odili, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Hear Wike, “I built the Judiciary Institute and named it after one woman”(referring to Justice Mary Odili), and I built the Cancer Centre( hospital) in record time by the best construction company in Nigeria, Julius Berger, and I named it after one man”. He was referring to Dr Odili. No doubt, Wike is a very generous man, even to a fault. But he demands unflappable loyalty in return.
Perhaps Wike forgets the cliché that people gravitates where power goes. What is unraveling in Rivers state politics today helps to illuminate this aphorism. And Nigerian politics is the canvas on which this lesson comes to full focus. That’s where Gov Fubara has found his new masculine energy and using it to great effect, at least for now. In recent weeks, he has been getting personal with Wike, hitting him with barbs. Power reveals, you know more than it can hide. But you must know how to use it to be an adept politician. Behind the scene in support of Fubara apart from Odili, are other die-in-the-wood politicians from the state. They include former Governor Celestine Omehia, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara, former National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus and senators Sekibo and Meeba. Though Wike calls them “political buccaneers, and expired politicians who are not worthy to be called elder statesmen”, Wike should realise that “expired” drugs are harmful to the body, and you take it at your own risk. That’s why keeping taps on Rivers politics is important. Interesting times are ahead.
Political pendulum is swinging fast, back and forth. About two weeks ago, Odili fired a shot at Wike, declaring Gov Fubara as the “political leader of Rivers state”. This could be a big warning signal to Wike. It could also be a deft move that may further worsen the already frosty relationship between Wike’s camp and that of the governor. Gov Fubara is swinging, spoiling for ‘war’. He has promised to make Wike’s camp “restless”. “We will continue to hit them hard”, he boasted during a recent groundbreaking project commissioning in the state. The hitherto taciturn Fubara has suddenly found his voice. That’s power speaking. American renowned diplomat, Henry Kissinger described political power as an “aphrodisiac”. It’s like a drug, the more you take it, the more you desire to do something with the influence of it. Do you blame Fubara? Speaking at the commissioning of a primary healthcare centre in Ndoni, in Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni LGA where Dr Odili hails from, Fubara threatened to deal with the pro-wike Local Government chairmen who have been boycotting state functions in solidarity with their political godfather. He told them, “for those of you pretending to be serving the people, while worshipping the interest of one man, you have dug pit for yourselves and will soon fall into it. Let me say it here, anyone of you who thinks you can disrespect me, you will see… And for those of you who have chosen a contrary path of political salvation, safe journey. They said we were clueless, then, we agreed. Not anymore. We will not build roads or flyovers to please somebody. We are doing them for the people”. All of that was a loaded jab at Wike. Isn’t that ‘authority’ speaking?(apologies to Afro-beat icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti).
For good measure, Wike was once much more than that. He took no prisoners. He brooked no dissenting opinion. His word was once law in Rivers state. It may have diminished a bit, but he’s still talking tough, and walking on two roads at the same time – one leg in APC – another leg in PDP. Who says Nigerian politics is not interesting, a fun to follow? When I say keep your eyes glued to Rivers politics, it is because Rivers politics seems to provide the tonic that rivets our attention. Wike is fighting on two fronts to remain relevant – in his home state and at the national level of PDP, where the battle between him and Atiku Abubakar has been shifted till August. But Wike does not need my advice not take his eyes off Rivers politics where Fubara is poised to assert himself, and get out of the shadows of his political godfather.
The gathering clouds are thickening. While Wike is revoking many lands allegedly improperly acquired in the FCT, few days ago, Gov Fubara announced a committee to “recover state properties” allegedly “falsely grabbed by Wike when he was Governor of the state. Some of the properties marked for immediate recovery include Shoprite Complex, West African Glass Industry, Hypercity Land by NLNG Roundabout, the Mall at GRA Junction, Port Harcourt, Civil Servants building at old GRA, Port Harcourt, among other choice properties. Gov Fubara has also threatened to declare the State House of Assembly “illegal”. There are about 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the House. They have also been talking tough through the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule.
How Fubara wants to do it is unclear. As a former Accountant General of the state, Fubara may have something up his sleeve, something to squeal about the administration he inherited that may unsettle the Wike camp. Who knows! This may just be the beginning. Rivers state politics is a musical chair, a spin circle of some sort that never stops turning. The gladiators are not children, nor apprentices, they are masters in the game called politics. Make no mistake about it, the ongoing political brinkmanship in Rivers state has raised the stakes high, and puts President Tinubu political impartiality to test. Last time around, he tried to defuse tension in Rivers state. The temporary settlement in which Fubara was saved by the bell, may have, unknown to the President, given the governor a strategic leeway to come back like River Phoenix. It’s uncertain the scope and direction the next turn of events will take. Meanwhile, keep a close eye on Rivers politics. It’s a ‘battleground’ state in this political dispensation.