Rivers takes the course of anarchy

SINCE Governor Siminalayi Fubara assumed office in May 2023, Rivers State has been a political tinderbox ready to explode. Renewed tensions engulfed the oil-rich state on Monday when the tenure of the 23 local government chairmen and councillors expired. While the chairmen attempted to continue in office beyond their three-year mandate, Fubara and his supporters dislodged them. In the ensuing confrontations between rival supporters, a police officer, and a vigilante member were killed at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LG secretariat. This is a bad moment for the state.

Underpinning the vicious contest for the soul of Rivers is the political rivalry between Fubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state. Wike, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, backed Fubara as his replacement in the 2023 polls.

Apart from Eleme, Port Harcourt City, and Obio/Akpor LGAs, 20 chairmen, including staunch loyalists of Wike, had resisted their removal after spending three years at the helm. They claim that, based on a recent law enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly, their tenures were extended by six months. Amaewhule is the factional Speaker of the assembly and is loyal to Wike.

The tenure extension is blatantly unconstitutional. It is not known to the law.

In turn, Fubara loyalists and the police helped displace the claimants. Fubara swore in 23 new caretaker chairpersons to head the LGs on Wednesday. To avoid a complete breakdown of law and order, the police denied the ousted LG chairmen and the caretaker chairpersons access to the LG secretariats.

To circumvent the police action, Fubara advised the caretaker persons to work outside the LG secretariats.

The entrenchment of caretaker chairpersons instead of elected ones – like in Oyo, Plateau, and Benue states –by the governors is also illegal. Fubara must be wary of toeing this path. He should conduct free, fair, and transparent LG elections.

The appointment of caretaker chairpersons at LGs is considered a ploy by governors to control and consolidate power, control revenues accrued to LGs, and reward loyalists.

This concern has led to a subsisting litigation on LG autonomy. The Federal Government sued the 36 states in May at the Supreme Court. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, sought the court to stop state governors from unilaterally, arbitrarily, and unlawfully dissolving democratically elected LG executives. The centre describes it as an abuse of power.

Tensions continue to rise in Rivers as Fubara and Wike constantly clash to wrest political power. In 2023, the HoA was bombed ahead of impeachment proceedings against Fubara. President Bola Tinubu had intervened in the rift in December. This led to a peace deal, stopped impeachment moves against Fubara by lawmakers, and restored some Wike loyalists to positions of power. The peace deal broke down this year when some commissioners resigned.

Apart from being one of Nigeria’s highest revenue earners and one of the few economically viable states, Rivers is volatile. It has a history of oil militancy and illicit crude oil operations. Fubara and Wike should tread carefully before plunging the state on a course of anarchy.

In managing the crisis, the police and other security agencies must remain neutral. They must steer clear of taking sides, arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of loyalists of the rival leaders. They must focus on their statutory duties of protecting lives and property.

Although the crisis remains within the purview of the police, other security agencies, especially the Department of State Services, and the military, must not be deployed as a willing tool by politicians.

The elders should resolve the rift between Fubara and Wike.