The unsettling political crisis rocking Rivers State, Nigeria took an alarming crescendo with renewed hostilities between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike. The warring gladiators threw caution and political decorum to the wind with thier repeated unguarded rhetorics, abuses and name calling . A futher escalating of the lingering crisis.
Fubara in a show of affirmative control, recently boasted he would crush all his political enemies. Apparently referring to the Wike camp.
“This year, we will ensure we protect the integrity of this state, at all cost. ”We won’t allow anybody take this state for a ride…The red biro is still filled. It is still here with me. Every enemy plan will continue to crash.”-Fubara said.
Reacting to Fubara’s outburst, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, lampooned the Rivers Governor and cautioned him to be humbly with political power that is transient. Saying he has only used his red biro for two years.Posting on X, Olayinka on behalf of Nyesom Wike wrote: “Someone who has only used the red biro for less than two years is somewhere reminding himself and boasting that ‘The red biro is still filled. It is still here with me.’ Issokay. “Shouldn’t he also be reminded that someone has used the same red biro for 14 years and is still using it?”
The red biro usage for designated public officers as instrument of official duties symbolises hierarchy and authority.
According to Nigeria Civil Service Handbook (2010 Edition) Chapter 13, section 34 provides inter alia ” all officers should use blue, black biros or ink on all official papers … Ministers use red … the green colour is exclusively for the highest authorities … i.e President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor”
The duo of Wike and Fubara ideally have distinctive official jurisdictions.
Sir Fubara is saddled with the responsibility of governing Rivers State while Barr. Wike is in charge of the country’s capital FCT. But the control of political power and party structures in crude oil rich Rivers remains the ‘game of wits and clash of the titans.’
The FCT Minister has labelled governor Fubara a betrayer.
Fubara on the other hand has equally labelled Wike a ‘glutton’.
Recall that Siminalayi Fubara was brought to political limelight, shielded and anointed to power by the Governor Wike whom he worked with as accountant general.The Wike, Fubara fued has resulted in political polarisation and re-allignments. Ethnic divisions. Rivers state assembly crises, amongst others.’
Several appeals to them to sheathe their swords has been falling on deaf ears’Regrettably, political turmoils and avoidable violence has become the dominant identity of Rivers State in the last 20 years.
Peace and tranquility remains the bedrock of meaningful development.
To the political gladiators in Rivers, a word is enough for a wise!