Reactions have continued to trail President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the political tensions rocking Rivers State, particularly his efforts to prevent the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Stakeholders across the South-South region have expressed differing opinions about the President’s approach and its implications.
Some political observers have welcomed Tinubu’s move, describing it as a step towards stabilising the oil-rich state. However, others have raised concerns about whether the intervention aligns with constitutional principles, especially amid claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, holds significant political influence in the state.
Joseph Ambakaderimo, who leads the South-South Reawakening Group and chairs the Board of Trustees of the Community Committee of Oil and Gas Producing Areas of the Niger Delta States, spoke positively about the President’s role. In an interview with Vanguard, he described Tinubu as a strategic and determined politician who understands his objectives and pursues them decisively.
Ambakaderimo commended Tinubu for attempting to prevent another impeachment move against Fubara but cautioned him to be mindful of those allegedly trying to pit him against Wike. He likened Wike’s political relevance to Tinubu to the role late Tony Anenih once played for former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He also argued that Governor Fubara does not yet possess the same political strength that enabled Wike to deliver strong electoral results for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general elections. According to him, resolving the dispute ultimately rests with both Wike and Fubara, insisting that external interference may not produce lasting peace. He maintained that Tinubu’s involvement was likely intended to protect the overall interest of Rivers State and its citizens.
Offering a contrasting view, the Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Dr. Jackson Omenazu, criticised Tinubu’s handling of the crisis. He argued that the President’s approach lacked the level of neutrality and leadership expected from the nation’s leader.
Omenazu questioned the political structure being promoted in Rivers State, stating that the APC’s manifesto does not support the existence of two political leaders within the same state. He asked why Governor Fubara should not be recognised as the sole political leader, noting that such dual leadership arrangements are not evident in other APC-controlled states.
He further accused the President of failing to uphold fairness, alleging that Fubara is being politically undermined. Omenazu also compared the situation with past leadership experiences, questioning whether Tinubu and Wike were subjected to similar treatment during their respective tenures as governors.
Additionally, he emphasised that constitutionally, the authority to determine a party’s political leadership in any state rests with the APC national chairman rather than the President.
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