Chief Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers Caretaker Committee, has provided critical insights into the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, identifying the deteriorating relationship between the governor and members of the state assembly as a significant contributing factor. Okocha emphasized that this unhealthy dynamic has generated considerable tension and discord within the political landscape, severely hindering effective governance and collaboration among key stakeholders.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Okocha elaborated that the Rivers political crisis is exacerbated by a struggle for control of political structures by influential figures within the state. He characterized the situation as centrifugal, noting that the internal wrangling among political actors reached a boiling point under the current Governor, Similaye Fubara. This turmoil contrasts sharply with the previous administration of Nyesom Wike, who is now the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister. Okocha described Wike's tenure as one marked by substantial development, likening the state to a “construction site” due to the numerous infrastructure projects initiated during his time in office, including the construction of bridges and other essential facilities that garnered accolades for Rivers State.[/p]
Okocha expressed concern over Wike's decision to endorse and elevate a political novice, who is now the state governor. According to him, Fubara had a background as a civil servant, having spent his entire career in that capacity prior to his political ascent. Wike played a pivotal role in Fubara's rise, promoting him from Deputy Director to Director of Finance and Administration and later appointing him to various influential positions within the government, including Chief of Staff and Accountant General. Okocha noted that Fubara had never held a political office before becoming governor, suggesting that his lack of experience in political matters has contributed to the current crisis.[/p]
According to Okocha, Wike effectively marketed Fubara to the people of Rivers during the election campaign, often speaking on his behalf. However, once in office, Fubara began to distance himself from Wike, feigning loyalty and humility as a strategy to gain political power. Okocha pointed out that within three months of taking office, Fubara was influenced by opposing politicians to establish his own political structures, a move that ultimately undermined Wike’s established systems and contributed to the ongoing political turmoil. This attempt to dismantle Wike’s political legacy has heightened tensions within the state and led to a deeper divide between Fubara and the House of Assembly members, intensifying the struggle for political control essential for any politician’s success.[/p]
“What sustains every politician in the field is a potent structure,” Okocha stated, adding that Wike could not remain passive while Fubara dismantled the political systems that had previously supported him and others in the assembly. He asserted that Fubara had become a significant obstacle to Wike’s political framework, prompting Wike to react strongly against these changes. Okocha criticized the current political environment in Rivers, arguing that the negative attention the state has received is primarily due to Fubara's internal conflicts. “The state governor is fighting himself,” he remarked, highlighting the self-destructive nature of the ongoing disputes.[/p]
In response to the Federal High Court’s dismissal of a suit aimed at replacing the pro-Wike 27 lawmakers, Okocha commented that Fubara is both the chief law officer and “the chief law breaker” of the state, as he selectively chooses which laws to uphold and which to ignore. He warned that such actions invite anarchy into the political system and likened Fubara’s decisions to bringing “ant-infested firewood to his house,” implying that the consequences of his actions would lead to inevitable problems.[/p]
Finally, Okocha reiterated that Fubara remains a political investment of Wike, suggesting that the former governor would not easily allow Fubara to dismantle the political structures he worked hard to establish over the years. The implications of this ongoing crisis for the political future of Rivers State remain to be seen, but the struggle for power and control within the state’s political landscape is clearly far from over.[/p]
