It is no longer news that a retired Vice Admiral of the Nigerian Navy from Akwa Ibom State has resumed in the Brick House as Sole Administrator of Rivers State. Ibok-Ete Ibas continues where his kinsman, Sam Ewang, then a Group Captain, who handed over to Peter Odili in 1999, stopped. Many now say power has returned to Akwa Ibom after Rivers leaders seem to not know how to jaw-jaw instead of war-war.
BD Sunday had since 2023 predicted that the political crisis in Rivers State would get to a point of emergency and to the point that one day, the ‘Ides of March’ would. It has eventually come in March. Yet, the many other things BD Sunday predicted are threatening to come to pass.
The journey began when people of the state woke up one Monday in October 2023 to face an impeachment notice to Gov Sim Fubara from 27 lawmakers later found to have been rallied by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Only four lawmakers were said to have declined the signing of the impeachment document said to be prepared at a private home in the Garden City.
It was the attempt to remove Gov Sim Fubara barely five months in power when the masses could not see what looked like a strong offence that kickstarted the war. Fubara responded by carrying war to the House and the division into 27 versus four began. Rumours abound in the state why the four led first by Edison Ehie (from Omoku) and later Victor Oko-Jumbo (from Bonny) refused to sign that night though they too were helped to the parliament by the godfather, Wike. Some of them were said to find it difficult to remove an innocent governor, some others were said to nurse deep injuries in their hearts against the godfather.
The battle dragged on, leading to the demolition of the House of Assembly auditorium and the defection of the 27 from the PDP to the APC. It also dragged to a peace meeting summoned in Aso Rock by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an agreement that seemed to add more fuel to the flame.
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It also led to several court cases and appeals which were later consolidated into five with rulings. The governor appeared to be loser in each of them; prominent of which are that the 27 lawmakers are the ones to receive and approve the state’s budgets thus, meaning that Martin Amaewhule is still speaker; that the federal allocation is shut down; that the state budget of 2024 is illegal; and that the local council election of October 5, 2024, is null and void.
These shook Governor Fubara but he pledged to implement them and immediately removed the 23 LGA bosses and asked the state’s electoral body to commence fresh elections. He asked the lawmakers to come for a meeting to work out implementation of the aspects of the rulings that concerned them.
That seemed to be where the trouble began. The Wike-backed lawmakers refused to come, saying they did not get proper communication. The governor adjusted his style and wrote that he was coming to present the budget. He was locked out. Again, the lawmakers said they did not get proper communication. The governor wrote another letter using all channels of communication, asking the lawmakers to give him their own date if his own was not convenient for them. The lawmakers rather issued warrant of arrest on the chairman of the electoral body, issued investigation order on the chief judge for alleged irregularity in his date of birth, and adjourned sine die.
They reconvened to issue impeachment notice and went back on recess. Many said they usually flew in from Abuja to sit and adjourn and fly back same day. The governor never got a chance to submit the budget but they accused him of refusing to submit the budget and refusing to obey the Supreme Court, and the President accepted these and acted.
The refusal to accept the budget seemed to provoke militants who issued threats. Soon, Wike fixed a reception in the heart of Ijaw community (Abalama) where he was said to have made many provocative statements against Ijaw people. He also granted a television interview where many seeming derogatory statements were credited to him. As expected, many Ijaw youths began to threaten for war.
The next thing that happened is still strange and debatable. Bombs exploded at some oil facilities. It has now been discovered that those locations belonged to areas with stronger supporters for Wike. Others say that all bomb attacks that have been recorded in the state in the past four years were from the Wike camp, including attacks that either killed or injured the bombers. In each case, the police never investigated them, especially the one that happened in the glare of police men escorting a pro-Wike procession at the Hotel Presidential area on Aba Road.
The impression in the state is that it is Wike supporters that are linked with bombs and bombing right from the Wike versus Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi wars to the Wike versus Fubara battle. Many thus believe that the recent bombs could most probably come from the usual source.
This theory seemed to gather more credence when the bombing was heavily relied upon by President Tinubu to declare state of emergency. Many now believed that the picture was getting clearer especially as Wike’s camp in the state had consistently called for state of emergency.
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The President affirmed that the six-month emergency will empower the newly-appointed Sole Administrator to stabilise Rivers State, address systemic breakdowns, and facilitate dialogue among conflicting parties.
This immediately forced suspicion to be cast on the personality of the man that has been appointed Sole Administrator, looking to lick any hints of his loyalty line, especially as he seems to come from where the senate president comes from.
I come with no bias – Solad
The Solad seemed already aware that many were already suspicious that he was on Wike’s side since they believe that Mr. President was doing everything for the FCT Minister who is believed to have helped much to make him president.
The Solad thus made it clear in his first broadcast that he did not come with any bias. He said he was neutral.
Ibas rather spoke about peace and pledged to unveil a roadmap soon to show how Rivers State would proceed in the next six months.
In his much-awaited first broadcast to the people, Ibas said the task before him is delicate but that the most important is to restore normalcy.
He said he had dedicated his life to the service of our great nation with the honour of serving as the 20th indigenous Chief of Naval Staff, and more recently as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana.
“Duty has called and I have answered. I have abiding commitment to Nigeria and Rivers State.”
He said Rivers State has had political empasse of almost two years and that it has paralysed governance, desecrated democratic institutions, and undermined the economic and social fabrics of the state. “It has deepened divisions among the people and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future. These are issues we cannot afford to ignore.”
As a son of the Niger Delta, he went on, “I am one of you and I recognise the weight of expectations of the people and the challenges that lie ahead. I feel the weight on families and businesses who are uncertain of what the future holds.
“The president’s decision is to ensure security and restore peace for the economy and address any threat to life and property. My mandate is to restore law and order, stabilise the polity and restore democratic institutions and representation.”
He said this is not a task for one man alone. “All Rivers people are needed. I did not come as a partisan actor or competitor in this moment. I come as a servant of the state entrusted with the mandate to restore peace and order so Rivers State can move forward again as the oil and gas capital.
“I am here to ensure that lives are not held hostage by instability. Governance is not a solitary endeavour. It requires the collective support of the people. I therefore extend my hand to all. I urge the people to remain law-abiding. Let us set aside our differences. It is time for unity, not division. Dialogue will be the watchword.”
He said destruction of public infrastructure is no more how to express grievances. The Niger Delta has left that behind long ago. “We must resist the temptation to return to those days.”
He talked of respect of civil liberties restoration of the rule of law but that those who want to destroy property will not be allowed. “No room for lawlessness. No space for violence.
“We will enforce the law, when necessary, but civil order will lead.”
He said he has held security meeting and has given orders and charged them to remain neutral.
Ibas said the roadmap to govern the state will soon be rolled out. “Our objective will be clear which to restore normalcy. I ask for your understanding.
“This is a delicate national assignment. I thank Mr. President and the National Assembly for the confidence in me, and I will draw on my training and knowledge to carry out this sensitive national assignment.”
Previous declarations of state of emergency:
Plateau:
In May 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State following a surge in ethno-religious violence that led to widespread killings and destruction. The governor and state assembly were suspended, and Major General Chris Alli (retd.) was appointed administrator to restore order.
Ekiti State (2006)
A leadership crisis in Ekiti State prompted Obasanjo to impose emergency rule in October 2006.
The crisis stemmed from the controversial impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose, which plunged the state into chaos. Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd.) was appointed administrator until the situation stabilized.
Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013)
Amid escalating Boko Haram insurgency, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states on May 14, 2013.
Only in Plateau and Rivers were the state governors and houses of assembly were suspended, probably because they emanated from strives between the executive and legislature.
Conclusion:
More voices have risen against the declaration and court cases may emerge but Governor Fubara seems to be the calmest person in the crowd and may not go to court. To him, God has the final say.
