Lawyer Kabir Akingbolu spoke out on the political issue in Rivers State in an interview with TVC News, warning governors not to interfere with their successors' terms in office. Using instances from Anambra and Rivers States' histories, Akingbolu demonstrated how such meddling frequently results in catastrophic consequences.
The case of Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, whose antagonism with his successor developed from his early support for the latter, was brought to Akingbolu's attention. Similarly, he cited the infamous battle between Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi, the former governors of Rivers State, as a another illustration of the disastrous consequences of involvement.
The Governors should have known better than to plant someone; it's a risky business. This all transpired in Anambra State; Peter Obi installed a successor, and by day's end, the two were bitter rivals. This political trap keeps popping up, as Akingbolu pointed out in his explanation of the situation in Rivers State involving Amaechi and Wike.
To prevent "planting" a successor and instead give them autonomy, Akingbolu said, governors should step aside. He stressed the need of allowing new leaders independence to carry out their responsibilities without excessive interference from their predecessors.
Let this person take charge when you leave the office; you can leave your belongings behind. As Akingbolu put it, "if you want to support anybody to become governor, that's fine, but allow them a free hand to do their work." He stressed that the health of government required non-interference.