Connect with us

Opinion

 When Two Elephants Fight…

Published

3 years ago

on

I find it difficult to explain why the misunderstanding between the presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP), in the person of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, and the sitting Governor of Rivers State, Chief (Barrister) Nyesom Wike, has continued to fester. Could it be that the teaming supporters of the both sides to the conflict have chosen to fuel the conflict, operating from the shadow, rather than join well-meaning party loyalists to douse the flaming fire blazing to consume the fortunes of the party in its determination to win the 2023 general elections? For crying out loud, this is about unsitting the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the center.
The principal actors in this conflict; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential flag bearer, and Chief Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State Governor, are both men of timber and caliber that need not be undermined or underrated in the scheme of things, as far as politics and politicking are concerned in the current political space.The antecedent of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a former vice president under the Obasanjo administration; his earned reputation as a democrat resulting from the favourable outcome of various judicial battles against the PDP and president Obasanjo in the 4th Republic; and his  reputation for winning party presidential primaries, have gone a long way to enrich his political profile as an acknowledged politician.
On the other hand, Governor Nyesom Wike is a known political stalwart, whose reputation as a ‘‘talk- na-do’’ politician in Rivers State, cannot be contradicted. He is also an outstanding politician, a grassroots mobiliser; a political juggernaut, who is wont to have his way in any project he puts his mind on. Governor Wike is a no nonsense politician whose mind has always been focused. He is also a known fighter, and can easily draw up support for his cause, from among his teeming support base in the state and at the national level. He is the acknowledged author of the Grassroots Development Initiative. (DGI) – a winning strategy for political mass mobilisation which he successively deployed to win his political opponent in his first outing as the governorship candidate in Rivers State, in the 2015 election.
His mania for projects, executing viable infrastructural projects, is evident in the numerous projects he has had the opportunity to execute in the short space of seven years, since he assumed office in 2015.  No wonder, even his political adversaries have come to terms with the nick name given to him by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, as ‘‘Mr Project’! This name was earned by Wike when he (Osinbajo) commissioned one, in the series of projects executed by the Governor, in his first term in office, as Governor of Rivers State. No doubt,  each of the duo is an asset to the party they both belong. Hence, nothing should be done to discourage either of them from contributing their respective quota to the expressed interest of the Peoples Democratic Party in winning the presidential and other elections, scheduled for 2023. With this objective in view, both parties have essential roles to play in order to usher their party (PDP) to overwhelming victory in the upcoming elections in 2023, of course we need not be told that time is of the essence, and they can not afford the luxury of dragging feet over this matter anymore.
For the avoidance of doubt, the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the leader of the party, should necessarily take the initiative of calling a truce, to bring the flaming fire down, immediately.
He needs the support and the votes  of all Nigerians to succeed in his political quest of becoming the executive President of Nigeria, come 2023.  If you ask me, the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was less diplomatic in saying publicly that he could do without the votes of a particular state in winning the presidential elections, come 2023. This unguarded outburst was rather uncalled for; and I suspect this, more than any other factor, had added the fuel that is prolonging the current crisis in the party today.
In a contest of the magnitude the PDP is into right now, no one is indispensable and no  contribution is unimportant. Hence, Atiku should calm down and put his house in order before his unseen enemies pull the carpet from under his feet. He has been in the presidential race for so long that he cannot afford to let this rare opportunity elude him. Before it becomes too late, he should quickly address the internal hiccups in the party, so he can  roll out his plans to face the real opponents of his party. He should know that victory for him is victory for his party; and victory for the party is victory for all the members.There is a big, and a more noble picture ahead of him currently i.e. winning the presidential election, come 2023. He should not make the mistake of ever thinking that his party could easily defeat a sitting government without fostering internal unity within the party.
Recall that during the Jonathan era, in  an election year, crisis like this erupted,  the ruling party (still the PDP) ignored the expressed grievances of some influential members of the party, thus forcing them to form a ‘‘New PDP’’ faction that eventually defected to the All Progressives  Congress (APC), thereby paving the way for APC’s victory in the general election in 2015. “A stitch in time”, they say, “saves nine”.
What’s happening within the main opposition party now is akin to what was witnessed in 2015. The slight difference being that, then, the party was the ruling party with all the apparatus of government at its disposal. Yet, it lost to the new party (APC) which literally came from nowhere to win the 2015 election.
The possible consequence of the Peoples Democratic Party’s blatant refusal to heed to Wike’s call for restoration of internal party democracy with the rightful representation of all the zones in the party’s executive platform, could pose a serious distraction for the party’s flag bearer  from focusing on the greater goal of winning the presidential election next year, it could be too late for him to recover from the avoidable mistake. Occasion may arise when one would be forced to cry over spilled milk. Why not get it right, now?
Will the current personality crisis within the main opposition party (PDP) lead to a similar development in the course of the electioneering campaign? This is difficult to forecast but the answer to this poser can only be proffered by the current leadership of the party. Would the party throw away the baby with the bath waters? Or would it do the needful now to save the fortunes of the party, come 2023?   The ball is in the court of the presidential flag bearer of the opposition party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. There is an adage that if a snake enters a pot and you desire to kill it, it is imperative that you develop a careful strategy to achieve this objective, otherwise you may end up breaking the pot, and risking the escape of the snake at the same time. Wisdom is profitable to direct.

By: Pius Obute
Obute is an Abuja-based writer.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Opinion

Kudos  Gov Fubara

Published

5 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Please permit me to use this medium to appreciate our able governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road in Ahoada-East Local Government Area.  This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the history of our communities and deserves commendation. We, the people of Ozochi, are particularly happy because this project has brought long-awaited relief after years of isolation and hardship.
The expression of our traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Prince Ike Ehie, JP, during the inauguration captured the joy of our people.  He said, “our isolation is over.”  That reflects the profound impact of this road on daily life, economic activities, and social integration of the people of Ozochi and other neighbouring communities. The road will no doubt ease transportation, improve access to markets and healthcare, and strengthen links between Ahoada, Omoku, and other parts of Rivers State.
The people of Ahoada, Omoku, and indeed Rivers State as a whole are grateful to our dear governor for this laudable achievement and wish him many more successful years in office. We pray that God endows him with more wisdom and strength to continue to pilot the affairs of the state for the benefit of all. As citizens, we should rally behind the governor and support his development agenda. Our politicians and stakeholders should embrace peace and cooperation, as no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of conflict. Sustainable development in the state can only thrive where peace prevails.
Samuel Ebiye
Continue Reading

Opinion

… And It Came To Pass

Published

5 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Quote:“Leadership is not measured by how hard one strikes back, but by how steady one remains under provocation.”
Tell it  in Rivers State, publish it  in the streets of Port Harcourt, so  the daughters of the State could rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph and know that Fubara is not vindictive”. And it came to pass that Rivers State emerged from one of the most delicate chapters in its political journey, the period of emergency rule that spanned from March 18 to September 18, 2025. It was a season that tested institutions, strained loyalties, and exposed the fragile balance between power and principle. During that time, the suspended Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara DSSRS, was widely believed to have suffered not only political setbacks but personal betrayal, allegedly from some top civil servants within the state apparatus. These were individuals expected to uphold neutrality and professionalism, yet were accused in public opinion of taking sides against the very government they served.
As the emergency rule ended and Governor Fubara resumed office, expectations were shaped less by policy and more by emotion. Many assumed that revenge would quietly find expression through governance. The loudest suspicion centered on the 2025 Christmas bonus of ?100,000 traditionally paid to each worker. The thinking was simple and cynical: a wounded governor would surely withhold goodwill. Some voices even mocked workers  openly hoping that the governor would refuse to pay the bonus. To them, denial of the bonus would serve as proof of political strength and justified retaliation. In reality, such thinking revealed a troubling desire to see governance reduced to personal vendetta. Yet,  it came to pass, the governor chose a path that confounded suspicion. Against all expectations, the 2025 Christmas bonus was paid.
That single decision quietly but firmly reframed the narrative. It showed a leader focused on governance rather than grudges, on institutional continuity rather than emotional satisfaction. The payment was not a favor, nor was it a concession; it was a statement that public administration must rise above personal injury. By honoring the bonus, Governor Fubara demonstrated that leadership is not measured by how hard one strikes back, but by how steady one remains under provocation. He made it clear that workers’ welfare would not become collateral damage in political disagreements. This action also served as a moral rebuke to those who celebrated division and hoped for punishment. Governance is not validated by the suffering of workers, nor is leadership strengthened by withholding entitlements. At the same time, the issue of alleged sycophancy and betrayal within the civil service cannot be brushed aside. If proven, such conduct deserves firm, lawful, and institutional correction. Civil servants are bound by duty to the state, not to political conspiracies or shifting loyalties.
However, justice must never be confused with revenge. The strength of governance lies in correcting wrongs without destroying the system itself. Governor Fubara’s restraint suggested an understanding that the future of Rivers State mattered more than settling scores. For workers, this moment carried an important lesson. Celebration should be rooted in good governance, not in the expectation of another’s downfall. Rejoicing in rumors of denial or punishment undermines the very stability that protects workers’ welfare. Public service thrives where professionalism, mutual respect, and accountability are upheld. Pettiness, gossip, and political scheming only weaken institutions and erode trust. History often remembers leaders not for the crises they inherit, but for the character they display in response. In paying the 2025 Christmas bonus, Governor Fubara chose legacy over impulse, maturity over malice.
And so, it came to pass that focus defeated revenge, governance triumphed over bitterness, and Rivers State was reminded that true leadership is proven when restraint is expected least but delivered most. Beyond the symbolism of the Christmas bonus lies a deeper question about the kind of political culture Rivers State intends to cultivate in the years ahead. Periods of emergency rule, anywhere in the world, often leave behind residues of suspicion, fear, and silent realignments. Institutions do not emerge untouched; individuals recalibrate loyalties, some out of conviction, others out of self-preservation. What distinguishes stable democracies from fragile ones is not the absence of such moments, but the discipline with which leadership manages their aftermath. River.
King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Opinion

That Withdrawal of Police   Orderlies  From VIPs

Published

5 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Quote:”Balancing VIP security with public safety remains a tightrope walk in a country where the majority of citizens are still under-protected.”
The Presidential announcement on the removal of police orderlies from persons in authority and their relations  ( Very Important Persons ) last month came as a relief to many Nigerians who felt deprived    of one major  role of government ; security of lives and property.The higher  population of Nigerians  missed needed security because the VIPs and the VVIPs kept  retinue of Police Officers  totalling over 100 ,000 to  themselves and their family members as if they are all that matter  while some  communities under attack of terrorists  have no single unit of  police station located there in. While many hailed the announcement , some said perhaps the government has just woken up to her major responsibility of securing the lives and property of all  citizens while many expressed indifference on the note that it may be one of those pronouncements which come only in words but no action .Many keep their fingers crossed watching how it will play out , how Mr President  will  go about the implementation of the seemingly dicey  policy .
Benjamin Franklin  said “well said is better than well done ”  It is sufficient today to say that many Nigerians including me are still waiting and watching to see  how well  and how long this  return  of the Police service to the ordinary people will go . Wishing hopes will not be crashed ,  It  is note worthy, that  the recent complaints by the VIPs of being exposed to attacks  may in a way affect the action on implementation. Recently, at Senate plenary , another worrisome  angle came up as Senator Abdul Ningi  coming through a motion    disclosed that he had only one police officer attached to him ( his office ) and that  the officer was recalled the week before following  Mr President’s directive  . Senator Ningi said the withdrawal exposed him to high risks but underscored the angle that while his orderly  was recalled , many other politicians , men  and women in authority, business concerns   foreigners  and even children of some  VIPs are still enjoying retinue of police protection ( officially attached to them ).
 It’s note  worthy also that the Deputy Senate President , Distinguished Senator Jibrin Barau,  who presided  over  the session revealed that the  leadership of both chambers are already in discussion with President Tinubu on the need  to exempt  the law makers  from the new policy .  Senator Ningi may not be  wrong . After all he emphasized he is okay  provided that the removal of the Police Orderlies be done across board . Senator Barau noted that talks are on  over the issue of law makers’    in line with international practice . Further details from the Presidency  noted  that   Presiding officers  will retain their  police officers ,  others would have Civil Defense  officers ( NSCDC) as orderlies while  any other VIP who feels he or she deserves personal police protection should get clearance from  his office . In the midst of all  issues weighing in on the proper implementation , it becomes necessary  to bear in mind that  the decision  hinges on  the realization that Nigeria has peculiar security issues (of kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism.) and that  majority of Nigerians   are under protected.
More so, that if well  implemented, Police officers will focus on core duties; even as 30,000 new police officers are to  recruited to enhance security .That implementation  must be made in a  way that leaves no room.for selective  treatment loss of confidence  and  controversies.  Looking at previous attempts of  implementation  of this policy  gives faint hope  as several  attempts consistently failed . Former  IGPs like Tafa Balogun (2003), Ogbonnaya Onovo (2009), and Ibrahim Idris (2018) tried  the policy but all  failed due to political resistance from various angles. All the failed attempts  were tied to lack of political will  mostly due to the fact that the directives came from police chiefs, not the president. Selective Enforcement was another killer to the policy  as  partial implementation  met  resistance   and   later  reversal . Egbetokun (2023) and Adamu (2020) saw minimal impact.
Further more entrenched corruption in the system saw  Politicians and VIPs quietly regain police escorts due to ‘transactional economics”and pressure. Worse still the mindset of the  police officers  withdrawn didn’t help the policy Underpaid police prioritize VIP duties for extra benefits. Many wish President Tinubu’s move can  break this cycle.  As at today, he  still  insists the move is non-negotiable while stressing collaboration with states to upgrade training facilities. As citizens look forward to  success of the policy  without undue exposure of both sides, balancing VIP security with public safety remains a tightrope walk. Talk fades ; action echoes.  How the Presidency  implements this policy.  has  much to tell on the governments stand on national / community  security , choice of priority and the ability to   stand uncomprised . The known  goal is clear:  The outcome is  not yet certain.  Fingers crossed , we await . Definitely , time will tell.
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi.
s State stood at such a crossroads in September 2025. The temptation to rule with a long memory and a heavy hand was real. Yet, the choice made signaled a preference for healing over hardening. Leadership after crisis demands more than administrative competence; it requires moral clarity.
 Governor Fubara’s decision reminded the state that authority is not best exercised through silent punishment or selective generosity. Rather, it is strengthened when rules remain rules, irrespective of personal injury. By keeping faith with workers, the government preserved an essential firewall between politics and public service. That firewall, once breached, turns governance into a battlefield where livelihoods become weapons. Rivers State narrowly avoided that descent. In doing so, it affirmed that institutions must outlive tempers, and governance must not mirror the bitterness of political seasons. This moment also invites sober introspection within the civil service itself. Allegations of partisanship, if left unresolved, corrode professionalism and weaken public confidence. A civil service that drifts into political camps loses its moral authority and operational effectiveness.
Therefore, reform, where necessary, should be guided by due process, transparency, and institutional review—not whispers, witch-hunts, or mob verdicts. Accountability strengthens systems when it is fair; it destroys them when it is arbitrary. The restraint shown by the executive places a corresponding burden on administrative leadership to restore discipline, neutrality, and pride in public service. For the wider political class and the commentariat, the episode serves as a caution against normalizing cruelty as strategy. The eagerness with which some anticipated workers’ suffering revealed a dangerous appetite for scorched-earth politics. When governance becomes a spectator sport where pain is cheered and deprivation is weaponized, society inches toward moral exhaustion. Rivers State has seen enough turbulence to know that stability is not sustained by triumphalism, but by restraint.
The lesson is simple yet profound: power is fleeting, but institutions endure; leaders pass, but precedents remain. In the end, the payment of the 2025 Christmas bonus was more than a fiscal act—it was a civic statement. It told workers they were not expendable. It told political actors that revenge would not be policy. And it told the state that maturity in leadership is not weakness, but strength under control. In a climate where many expected fire, restraint prevailed; where bitterness was predicted, balance emerged. Thus, Rivers State was offered a rare reminder that governance, at its best, is an act of discipline, and leadership, at its highest, is the courage to rise above provocation.
Continue Reading

Trending