Issues
Should Amaechi Be Minister ?…The Petitions, The Defences, The Divisions
Since the birth of the current democratic rule in Nigeria, 1999, Rivers State has never been as divided by post-election disputations and ranchor as does this year’s exercise. So divided, the state, has, on a daily basis, made newspapers headlines for all the wrong reasons, yet the political class seems unperturbed.
But perhaps the most polarizing of issues is whether or not, former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari, among 21 Nigerians in an initial list sent to the Senate for confirmation, should indeed be screened and or cleared as representative of Rivers State. For this, petitions, protestations and litigations have piled up for and against Amaechi’s choice.
There are today, two schools of thought, though not proportionate in size, but equally anxious, forceful and unrepenting. Both groups are convinced and so are bent on convincing others why they believe or not Amaechi is a fit and proper choice to represent the state in the federal cabinet.
Never has the choice of a Minister from Rivers State generated so much controversy, as has the choice of former Governor Amaechi. Infact, there is a third group that fears that which ever group that emerges victorious, in the end Rivers will not be better for it. That the animosities and vendetta that daily play out would continue to polarize the political class and by extension, Rivers people.
Those who think Amaechi does not deserve Senate’s confirmation as Minister to represent Rivers, hinge their arguments on moral, constitutional and indeed socio-political variables. They insist that Amaechi has a moral burden to discharge by coming out clean on corruption charges leveled against him by the Probe Panel that investigated his activities while as governor of the state.
That report outlines several breaches, questionable sale of government assets and diversion of public funds by the governor and some of his former commissioners. The Panel’s report has since been studied, addressed and a white paper issued, affirming that state funds running into billions of naira were indeed unaccounted for.
This school holds that a public official facing such corruption allegations and litigations arising from same in court, should not be given any position of trust, as an unfavourable outcome from the courts would be source of huge embarrassment to the Buhari administration and compromise the anti-graft crusade’s drive.
The group also points to constitutional concerns. Former Governor Amaechi, they recall, refused to hand-over to his successor, one validly declared winner of the governorship elections of this year. Some even allege, that to frustrate the hand-over, Amaechi not only stayed away, he also caused to be unaccessible the traditional parade van, for such events, thus forcing the new government to secure one from Ondo State.
This attitude, they insist, amounts to impunity of the highest order and indeed a breach of the constitution, that demands a smooth transition from one government to another. They insist that the same person rendered an arm of government dysfunctional for over a year and cannot be depended upon to be fair to all concerned based on his antecedents.
Another is the socio-political drift.
President Buhari recently withdrew his initial nomination of the former Niger State Deputy Governor Ibeto on grounds that the present governor and the ministerial nominee were from the same senatorial zone. That if the much needed socio-political balancing and integration were to be achieved, another be chosen to replace the first nominee.
Expectedly, in its third argument, this group insists that the Niger State example is exactly what obtains in Rivers. That not only that Governor Amaechi, who governed the state for eight years is of the Upland, he is indeed of the same Senatorial District with incumbent Governor Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike. That since that is so, Amaechi’s nomination be withdrawn and replaced with a Riverine nominee from a different Senatorial district.
And finally, that with the bad blood which Amaechi’s nomination has generated, it is very unlikely that, if chosen, he would work closely with the state government in the interest of the state. Therefore, they fear, his clearance as Minister will be a great gamble, that the state can ill-afford.
But the second group counters, saying all the allegations of corruption leveled against Amaechi were actuated by malice, personal vendetta and indeed political hatred. They say Amaechi is a rare patriot, a change agent and indeed an exceptional leader that would never compromise his integrity.
The group insists that Amaechi’s achievements, as governor in areas such as education, health, infrastructure development and indeed his political contributions towards deepening democracy in Nigeria qualifies him as first among equals to be chosen as Minister. They point to his doggedness, drive and resilience in standing-up against the federal might under the Jonathan Presidency, to popularise the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, as a formidable credential that stands Amaechi out.
More importantly, the group insists that the country operates the accusatorial process of prosecution, whereby an accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise as against the inquisitorial process which condemns an accused until he or she proves himself or herself innocent. That being so, the group insists, Amaechi remains innocent of all the corruption charges leveled against him until his accusers prove otherwise.
Infact, the group says the former governor’s libel suit against some of his accusers, already in court, is an example of an innocent man legally protesting a smear campaign intended to tarnish his image and bring him to public odiom. These are why the group insists, former Governor Amaechi be screened, found worthy, and be confirmed as one of Buhari’s ministers to drive the change agenda in the country.
These indeed are very strong arguments for and against Amaechi’s choice which if not properly tackled and indeed addressed could institutionalise the strong divides into potential enemy camps, and further polarise the state, in ways that would make development difficult, if not impossible.
This is because, soon after Amaechi’s choice as a ministerial nominee was unveiled by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the three senators representing Rivers State protested. They insisted that Amaechi ought to discharge the moral burden of coming clean from the corruption allegations against him before he could be cleared.
At first, the Senate flew a kite that for a Minister to be cleared, he must have the endorsement of at least two senators from his constituency, meaning, his state. Such endorsement by Rivers senators would have been unlikely if the Senate had stood by it.
This means, apart from the state government, the state assembly and the Integrity group which resent Amaechi’s choice, three representatives of the state, in the upper chamber of the National Assembly do not approve of Amaechi’s choice. If the House of Representatives members from Rivers were to be joined in the fray, the outcome would also not be different.
Bottom line is, qualified, dutiful and pragmatic as Amaechi may be, he would not be able to work well with elected representatives of the state. Without such vital synergy, it is very doubtful if the state could enjoy the best representation at the federal cabinet level.
Another hiccup is that of geo-political balancing. In his last days in government, as governor of Rivers State, Amaechi made such even power-sharing one of his planks, of campaign for change. That was why he stood for the candidature of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, of Opobo, from a Senatorial district that is yet to produce a governor. As a Riverine, it was also expected to check the lopsided choice of politicians for the governorship, in favour of the upland, in the past 16 years.
Unfortunately, by the declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the state’s governorship elections, Rivers people preferred Chief Nyesom Wike as governor to Amaechi’s choice. What is on ground therefore, is the fact that the present Governor is not only an uplander, he is indeed from former Governor Amaechi’s Senatorial district.
This is why many think that if indeed Amaechi truly believed in his support for a Riverine candidate from a different Senatorial district, other than those that have produced governors, now is the time to demonstrate his patriotism by disqualifying himself and instead recommend one that fits his pre-governorship election crusade.
That way, many will see him for the change agent that he is. Hail him for the patriot that he is. And indeed celebrate him for the selfless politician he wants the people to see him. It will indeed earn him the respect he desires as one of the statesmen, Rivers will donate to Nigeria’s democracy.
My Agony is that very few ambitious politicians, can willingly risk staying far away from the corridors of power, and be able to make the needed impact in any electoral process. Ask Atiku. Buhari is a rare aberration to the rule.
This is an open letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Your Excellency,
Sir, ordinarily, I would not be writing an open letter to you, but like a wise man once said, “Silence would be Treason.” So I prefer to stay alive than face the consequences of silence in the face of crime. With each passing day, and as the socio-political tides continue to turn, it has become more pertinent that more people speak up in a concerted MANNER to prevent the death of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as we appear to be, in the words of W. B. Yeats, “turning and turning in the widening gyre” heading for an end where the falcon will no longer hear the falconer
It is unfortunate that since losing control of the Federal Government, with the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll in 2015, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has continued on a downward spiral. It is much more painful, that where it is expected that leaders within the party should rise to the challenge and put an end to this decline of our great party, some have instead taken up roles as its undertaker.
It will be hypocritical to claim aloofness to what I believe is your grouse with the PDP and I am not a hypocrite. It will be uncharitable on my part to discountenance the role you have played in strengthening the PDP from 2015 up until the last Presidential primaries of the party. It is my belief that your grouse against certain members of the party who you perceived worked against the party and abandoned it in 2015 and then came around much later to take control of the party, is justified. Also know that your decision to remain in the Party and stifle its progress on the other hand, as a sort of payback, stands condemned. For a man of your pedigree and stature, it is a dishonorable act, highly dishonorable and stands as testimony against all you claim to stand for.
At least, it can be argued that those who you hold this grudge against, abandoned the party completely and did not sit back while actively working to destroy it from within. But what then can be the argument on your own part, seeing that those you are currently working with against your party are the same people who set in motion, and executed surgically, the plans that not only ended our Party’s leadership at the centre, but ended up dislodging the first Niger Deltan to occupy Aso Rock as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Is this not akin to “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face?” That will be worse than folly. Let us not throw away the baby with the bath water because we do not like the soap used in bathing the baby. It will be a grave mistake.
Honourable Minister, sir, it is rather unfortunate that of all people, you have also decided to play the role of an undertaker not only for our party, but for our dear Rivers State.
I will like to take you down memory lane a little. Let me remind you of your emergence as Guber candidate of the PDP in Rivers State, against all fairness and justice in 2014. You will remember that despite the reality being that you as an Ikwerre man was poised to replace a fellow Ikwerre man in Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in our multiethnic state, Rivers people overwhelmingly stood by you and pushed for your emergence as Executive Governor of Rivers State in 2015. I dare say that your popularity in the entire Niger Delta region was at an all-time high at this point.
I want you to understand why you were loved across board leading to your eventual emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015; it was because when it looked like all were against the second term ambitions of the first Niger Delta man to emerge as President of Nigeria, you became not just a pillar but a beacon of resistance by standing for Goodluck Jonathan. Rivers people, as grateful and rewarding as they can be, paid you back by ensuring your electoral victory against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) led by your predecessor. On your emergence, where there were second term Governors in the region, you, a first term Governor, was seen by the people as not just the leader of the PDP, but the leader of the entire Niger Delta region. You earned it, and no one could dispute it.
In 2019, when your re-election bid was being challenged ferociously, Rivers people once again stood solidly behind you. Many were killed in the process of defending your votes. Do you remember Dr. Ferry Gberegbe that was shot and killed while trying to protect your votes in Khana Local Government Area? There are many more unnamed and unrecognised sons and daughters of Rivers State who sacrificed their lives so that you could emerge as a second term Governor of Rivers State.
In 2022/23, Honourable Minister, you oversaw a party primary across board that saw some candidates imprisoned and internal party democracy jettisoned for your wishes, leading to the emergence of flag bearers of our party all singlehandedly picked by you. You have on more than one occasion publicly stated that you paid for all their forms. Even those shortchanged in this process licked their wounds and continued to play their roles as party members to ensure the success of the party at all levels. In what will go down as one of the most keenly contested elections in recent Rivers history, with formidable candidates like Senator Magnus Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the vibrant youth driven Labour Party (LP), PDP emerged victorious across board except for Phalga Constituency 1 that was lost to the Labour Party. (Not that you did not loose in some other LGA’s but let’s stick to the official figures declared by INEC).
It begs the question, why then do you want to burn down Rivers State, when everyone who now holds political office emerged through a process designed and endorsed by you? Is it that you do not care about Rivers people and you are all about yourself? If so, I am forced to believe that those around you are not telling you the truth. The truth being that in a state where your words were law; where houses and businesses could be demolished or closed down without any recourse to legalities, where Executive Orders could be deployed to stifle the opposition, that your popularity is now at an all-time low. Probably because they are afraid of you, or of losing the benefits they gain from you, they fail to tell you that what you might perceive as a battle against your successor, has slowly but gradually degenerating into a battle against Rivers State and Rivers people. You know, there is a popular saying that, a man can cook for the community and the community will finish the food, but when a community decides to cook for one man, the reverse is the case.
LEAVE FUBARA ALONE
You have gone on and on about being betrayed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. You point fingers forgetting that some of those same fingers quick to spot betrayals point straight back at you. It is not Governor Fubara that has betrayed the PDP by working against it in the just concluded General Election, and working with the opposition at the State and Federal level to destabilise the party. It is you, Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that betrayed Rivers people by instigating a political crisis with propensity to escalate ethnic tensions in Rivers State. It is you Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that has declared himself God over all in Rivers State and has no qualms with burning the state to the ground to prove a point. It is you Honourable Minister. It is you Honourable Minister who told the world that the APC was a cancer and you can never support a cancerous party. It is you Honourable Minister who ended up facilitating the emergence of the same “cancerous” APC that has accelerated the economic decline of this country and further impoverished our people with no remorse. All so you can be a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory? The lack of self awareness is gobsmacking.
Some days back I came across a video where you talked about death and how you do not cry when you hear about the death of some people because you have no idea what might have caused it considering many a politician swear “over dead bodies” and still go back on their words. Those words made me think, and I could see the reason behind them. You see, in chosing to be God in the affairs of Rivers people, you have closed your eyes and ears to reason; you see nothing and hear nothing that can cause you to rethink on the path you have chosen. In your quest to “show Fubara” you have unwittingly united a vast majority of Rivers people behind him, so much that even those who despised him because of you, now like or love him, because of you too. In your scheming, I will advise you not to forget that “the voice of the people is the voice of God”.
Note that the war which you have or are waging against Governor Fubara, has gone beyond being merely political as you might see in your minds eye. It is now one that, fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, has evolved into a war against Rivers people. It is good to point out that no one has taken a stand against Rivers people and won. No one has gone against God and won. In your defiant characteristic manner, it will be unfortunate if you believe your own hubris and that of those around you on the possibility of you being the first to successfully go against Rivers people. It will be a needless gamble; one where if you win you create more enemies for yourself than you can withstand on your political journey, and if you lose, your legacy becomes an inglorious and irredeemable one in Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large. For your sake as regards posterity, it is my greatest wish that you have a moment of sobriety and a deep reflection and introspection on this path you have chosen.
Honourable Minister, sir, what is left of your legacy is on the brink of being completely desecrated and relegated to the dustbin of our political history, and it will be a sad end to what I will say has been a wonderful political career that many can only dream of. The ball is in your court, and may God Almighty have mercy on us all and forgive us for our shortcomings.
Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson
Dr Pidomson is former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and former member, Rivers State House of Assembly.
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
