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Burden Of Leadership …Coping With False Friends, Betrayals
Attorney-Genaral and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Nworgu Boms (left) chatting with the Perm Sec and Solicitor-General,Ministry of Justice, Barr Rufus N. Godwins (middle) and Head of Service, Rivers State, Barr Samuel LongJohn at the Rivers State Civil Service Week/Awards day 2013 in Port Harcourt, recently
Leadership in governance depends on honest, trusted, loyal and dependable followership to flourish. But in a country like Nigeria, where politics is seen as war, where intrigues, conspiratorial tendencies, rumour mongering, betrayals and constant clash of individual ambitions and greed, near frequently define political ends, to enjoy such perfect followership is at best a tall order.
This is because the average Nigerian politician is not only selfish, the game itself is often a strife of personal ambitions, desires and appetites often brandished as public interest. So, each time a politician is heard voicing the familiar refrain, ‘In Politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interest’ it inadvertently underscores the potency of personal greed and the lack of guilt that ought to attend the betrayal of a once trusted friend.
Make no mistake, there are still politicians of integrity who are in politics for selfless service, but the numbers are so insignificant that they are swallowed by the large ocean of the crooked many, with their bag of intrigues.
No time are these traits more destructive as in moments of political conflicts between and among leaders, upon whom countless depend for economic survival, political relevance and indeed actualisation of individual ambition. At such moments, the most dangerous enemy to watch out for is not the known one, but the false friend who often sees in such conflict his own opportunity to achieve either political relevance or enjoy pecuniary freebies, which real peace can hardly provide.
It is this class of political players that usually benefit most from crisis and conflicts and who would do everything to not only fuel a crisis through lies, incitements and dangerous rumours but would go a step further to build round the feuding leaders phony loyalty. To prove such loyalty, such false friends could even maim, kill and destroy any perceived opponents without the consent and approval of the principal, certain that such principal would help him escape punishment. It is the hope of escaping punishment that is the biggest incitement to violent crime during conflicts.
These were the under-currents that fuelled, cultism and gang violence, either directly or indirectly, during the last years of former Governor Peter Odili’s first tenure, (1999-2003). Capitalising on the enstrangement between Governor Odili and his once trusted friend and political benefactor, Late Dr. Marshal Harry, the political climate was not only charged, it polarised the state to such extent that various groups went to the extremes to earn the trust of the feuding combatants.
The most worrisome effect of the fight between two elephants was the slow pace of development in the state, as the governor, being human, was naturally distracted from the requirements of governance.
In all those, the beneficiary was not the state or its peoples but those who found in that crisis their own opportunity to strike gold or enjoy political visibility but who, once the chips were down, joined the bandwagon with such speed, that one wondered if conscience and integrity were values in inter-personal relations. But such were the facts.
For the first time since the intra-party crisis within the Rivers State Chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) began, I was consumed by a deep sense of concern that it could degenerate to the despicable levels already chronicled. Sadly the signals point towards that direction, with many enlisting with either divide with very few, particularly, the South-South Bishops Forum, exploring ways of quickly resolving the lingering crisis.
Ordinarily, an entirely intra-party tiff should not have degenerated so fast as to threaten public peace, sustainable development and unity enjoyed in the state. But not only has the crisis negatively impacted on the state, it poses an ever bigger threat of polarising the people and forcing return to the dark days of cult-related violence and gang wars, with their attendant senseless blood letting and insecurity.
How did the PDP, that enjoys 100 per cent control of the 32-member state House of Assembly, control of the 23 local government councils and indeed governorship allow itself to become such violent opposition to itself? What are they fighting for?
The general notion, even outright accusation among members of a school of thought is that Abuja-based politicians with the alleged tacit support of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan or his wife Dame Patience, or both are behind the crisis in Rivers State, with their target being Gov Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. This school vows that the Presidency was indeed uncomfortable with Gov Amaechi’s soaring national profile and popularity as vocal Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). That, that concern changed to apprehension over rumours that the state Chief Executive was harbouring a Vice Presidential ambition come 2015, which, Presidency sources allegedly fear would impact negatively on the yet-to-be-declared intension of Jonathan to seek re-election.
This school of thought, peopled mostly by pro-Amaechi loyalists insist that the hurried formation of the novelty of a PDP-Governors’ Forum was to whittle down Amaechi’s political relevance and truncate the governor’s re-election bid as NGF Chairman, that went awry. It is indeed the school’s thinking that the loud presidential silence in calling to order, the Jonah Jang-led faction of the NGF amounts to acceptance of the largely feared, ‘kill Amaechi Before He Grows’ campaign.
Were that not so, the school argues, the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, who has had a protracted crisis of confidence with the state’s Chief Executive, would not have been so emboldened to publicly refer to Gov Amaechi as a ‘tyrant’ and unilaterally take far-reaching decisions bordering security in a state Amaechi remains Chief Security Officer, without recourse to the principal.
Most importantly, this school swears that the removal of the Godspower Ake-led state executive committee of the Party by an Abuja High Court, was a travesty of Justice and the National Executive’s quick displacement of the status quo a deliberate attempt to deprive Amaechi, the much needed support and loyalty of a trusted party executive and indeed hierarchy.
All these the school swears, were orchestrated by those the school views as a conspiratorial ensemble of disgruntled Abuja-based politicians, with the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike as the face of the opposition, with the ‘unseen’ hands of the presidency. The group can list grounding of the state’s aircraft; perceived rejection of Amaechi’s re-election as NGF Chairman by his own party, the PDP; withdrawal of security details to key state functionaries, including the governor; fueling of the violence that erupted at the State Assembly July 9, this year, with little or no Police intervention and recent mob attack on four visiting Northern States governors, as some of countless examples of witch hunting against the person of Amaechi and indeed government of Rivers State.
However, both President Jonathan and Gov Amaechi have repeatedly and publicly denied harbouring any form of animosity that could amount to conflict or crisis between them, so did Dame Patience, when the Bishops of the South-South paid her a visit in Aso Rock recently.
But the second school of thought, peopled by loyalists of the Wike-Obuah divide insists that the suspension from office of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Hon. Timothy Nsirim and 17 Councillors, by the State House of Assembly, shortly after the Abuja court judgement that replaced the G.U. Ake-state Exco with the Felix Obuah-led one, was master-minded by the Governor. That the action was intended to punish Wike for his alleged betrayal and present him as a politician without a rural political base.
This school of thought faulted the House’s decision on grounds that if indeed there existed a petition against the Obio/Akpor Council leadership, such should have been known to the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, which alone could have investigated its authenticity before forwarding a report to the committee of the whole, and accused the House leadership of breaking the rules on public petitions just to punish Wike.
Another campaign is that Gov Amaechi, as leader of the PDP in the state, was fraternising excessively with opposition elements, within and outside the state, particularly, those of the fledging All Progressive Congress (APC).
Infact, during a courtesy visit by the Obuah-led state PDP Executive on him at Aso Rock, President Jonathan made veiled reference to same, when, he said, “you cannot belong to one party and partner others to vilify your own party. If you don’t like your party you leave and join another and not criticise it from within”.
Also, the Wike-Obuah divide insists that Gov Amaechi was planning to jump ship to APC, where, they allege he would pursue his alleged Vice Presidential ambition and was working on destroying the PDP before the exit. That they would rather stick with a Jonathan re-election come 2015 and view Amaechi’s unconfirmed Vice Presidential bid as an attempt to truncate Jonathan’s presidential project.
No doubt, it was in pursuit of that agenda that the foiled impeachment of the State Assembly leadership was hatched, with Amaechi’s ultimate impeachment as target destination.
Now, the question are who pioneered these series of accusations and counter-accusations. What efforts were made by the affected players to address such issues from the early stages before the involvement of false friends? Who are the likely beneficiaries of a protracted Jonathan – Amaechi political difference? Who benefits from the political war now using Rivers as the theatre?
I ask these questions, rather than condemn or pass judgment because most of the issues in dispute are either before courts of competent jurisdiction or being investigated by various committees of the National Assembly and the Police. The attempt here, is to warn the parties against the services and phony loyalties of those who sing their praise by day, line their pockets and join the opponent’s campaign.
It is indeed to indentify the unseen enemies, in the mould of rumour mongers, false friends, dangerous tale-bearers, partisan media men, political party thugs, greedy politicians, corrupt security operatives, ambitious women and youth groups and indeed over-zealous supporters, who find in the running crisis, their own opportunity to enjoy limitless relevance at the expence of the sustainable development of Rivers State.
My Agony is that some of these unknown enemies will even attempt to use this candid view to demonise the author, all in a bid to line their pockets at the expence of truth. Fact is, there is nothing that cannot be resolved between two or more persons through dialogue, truth and openness.
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.