By Samuel Benedict Jumbo
Elections are close and politicians are at it again bargaining and canvassing for votes; some with good intentions and many others for the mere purpose of eating from our commonwealth which often is referred to as ‘National Cake’. Rivers elections has always been characterized by a show of power by political gladiators, which, of course, negatively affects the people at the bottom and most times leads to loss of lives.
Without fear or favour, Rivers State election come 2019, I’ll say, is not much about the people benefiting from the dividends of democracy, but a show of strength; as per who is who in the state after which the concerns and welfare of the people will be considered. However, the will of the people will always prevail, irrespective of those who think or believe Rivers State is their birthright.
Well, in all we do, let’s all acknowledge that power belongs to God and he reigns in the affairs of men.
In 2003, the fight was between Sergeant Awuse of the ANPP and former Governor Peter Odili of the PDP. The polls have not always decided who becomes the governor of Rivers State because it has always ended in fights and gun battles between followers of the gladiators. The Supreme Court has always played a major role in deciding who becomes the governor of the state.
In 2003, the fight was between Sergeant Awuse of the ANPP and former Governor Peter Odili of the PDP. The polls have not always decided who becomes the governor of Rivers State because it has always ended in fights and gun battles between followers of the gladiators. The Supreme Court has always played a major role in deciding who becomes the governor of the state.
In 2007, it was between former Governor Amaechi and former Governor Celestine Omehia with the interference of some federal characters. Of course, the word “K-Leg” was used by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to describe the elections and the tussles happening in Rivers State, as at then, and thereafter, upon Amaechi’s assumption of office, the TRUTH and RECONCILIATION COMMISSION was constituted to calm frayed nerves and call together those aggrieved after the elections and the eventual Supreme Court victory.
In 2015, it was between Governor Nyesom Wike and Hon. Dakuku Adol Peterside, which also got to Supreme Court to decide. I believe the above mentioned cases are not totally new to those who have been following the trend of Rivers politics. In Rivers State, it has always been the survival of the fittest.
THE CANDIDATES (APC and PDP candidates as case studies) AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
Arc. Pst. TONYE PATRICK DELE COLE:
Those who have heard Tonye Cole speak, will know that the young man is made of great stuff and has good plans for the people of Rivers State. But you see, governance in Rivers State goes beyond good intentions but the “Will Power” to execute that which the mind has for the people. Decision making revolves in circles here in Rivers State and it takes someone with balls to break that trend and properly dish out and bring to the people the dividends of democracy. Tonye Cole is indeed one man Rivers people need at this point in time, given his level of exposure and background but to those who care to listen, Arc. Pst. Cole may disappoint many persons if he eventually gets to Brick House.
In 2015, when I analysed the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari, now President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan, respectively, I repeatedly told Nigerians that PMB may end up disappointing many people who felt Jonathan blocked them from eating their share of the National Cake or having their way as usual. I was accused of being biased, given that I strongly supported Jonathan and so definitely they weren’t expecting any less but that was the truth, given today’s reality.
THE CANDIDATES (APC and PDP candidates as case studies) AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
Arc. Pst. TONYE PATRICK DELE COLE:
Those who have heard Tonye Cole speak, will know that the young man is made of great stuff and has good plans for the people of Rivers State. But you see, governance in Rivers State goes beyond good intentions but the “Will Power” to execute that which the mind has for the people. Decision making revolves in circles here in Rivers State and it takes someone with balls to break that trend and properly dish out and bring to the people the dividends of democracy. Tonye Cole is indeed one man Rivers people need at this point in time, given his level of exposure and background but to those who care to listen, Arc. Pst. Cole may disappoint many persons if he eventually gets to Brick House.
In 2015, when I analysed the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari, now President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan, respectively, I repeatedly told Nigerians that PMB may end up disappointing many people who felt Jonathan blocked them from eating their share of the National Cake or having their way as usual. I was accused of being biased, given that I strongly supported Jonathan and so definitely they weren’t expecting any less but that was the truth, given today’s reality.
PMB has done well for himself and Nigeria, those fighting to frustrate and remove him do so because it was no longer business as usual; they were all disappointed when the money was not there anymore to share as they thought. Tonye Cole may turn out in the same mode. Good for Rivers State but bad for the few greedy and selfish politicians. Tonye Cole is a business man and we should not expect him to metamorphose into a politician overnight. Implication is that it won’t be business as usual (chop I chop).
This of course will affect him, the state and his administration drastically. We pray that he surrounds himself with those who will advise him rightly and tell him the truth to his face irrespective of his social or political status.
I have only read about Mr. Cole being a multi billionaire businessman but until yesterday, had never met Arc. Patrick. The Tonye I saw yesterday, looked into his eyes, helped him call someone and psychoanalyzed, seemed to me like PMB, strong willed, focused, determined, and full of energy but will most likely be disturbed by a cabal who feel they have been in the business before him and as such should direct him on what to do and how to go about it.
I have only read about Mr. Cole being a multi billionaire businessman but until yesterday, had never met Arc. Patrick. The Tonye I saw yesterday, looked into his eyes, helped him call someone and psychoanalyzed, seemed to me like PMB, strong willed, focused, determined, and full of energy but will most likely be disturbed by a cabal who feel they have been in the business before him and as such should direct him on what to do and how to go about it.
Rivers State will experience a boom in infrastructural development cum human capacity development, however, may likely witness a slow pace given hiccups which he may battle with within the first quarter of his government. What I cannot guarantee is whether Tonye Cole will lose or come out victorious in this 2019 elections. That will be a choice left for Rivers people to decide. I can only hope he wins.
Chief Barr. NYESOM EZENWO WIKE:
Ordinarily, I admire the courage of the serving Governor of Rivers State and commend his efforts, so far, in doing his best within his scope to ensure Rivers State gets to the point which he has envisaged for her. Believe me, he is the pilot of this ship today and him alone knows exactly where he intends anchoring it. There is nothing new to know or to be disappointed with if he goes back for second term, rather we will only hope that he consolidates on the already existing structures and not be distracted having scaled through this time.
Chief Barr. NYESOM EZENWO WIKE:
Ordinarily, I admire the courage of the serving Governor of Rivers State and commend his efforts, so far, in doing his best within his scope to ensure Rivers State gets to the point which he has envisaged for her. Believe me, he is the pilot of this ship today and him alone knows exactly where he intends anchoring it. There is nothing new to know or to be disappointed with if he goes back for second term, rather we will only hope that he consolidates on the already existing structures and not be distracted having scaled through this time.
Some believe Governor Nyesom Wike has done absolutely nothing, while others believe the Governor has done tremendously well to deserve another term. We can all attest to the fact that it was a fierce battle between former Governor Amaechi and incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike in 2015 and the latter still pays his bills.
I expect nothing much from the 23 Local Government Chairmen, not because they don’t have a blueprint, but because the Governor has deliberately refused to allocate to them what is due them. If what is assumed is true, then we should not expect much from him because he is faced again with almost same situation he faced in 2015. More so, he has nothing before him he may be contending with since he will be serving out his last tenure. Will Governor Nyesom Wike succeed in his second term bid? That question will be left for Rivers people.
I expect nothing much from the 23 Local Government Chairmen, not because they don’t have a blueprint, but because the Governor has deliberately refused to allocate to them what is due them. If what is assumed is true, then we should not expect much from him because he is faced again with almost same situation he faced in 2015. More so, he has nothing before him he may be contending with since he will be serving out his last tenure. Will Governor Nyesom Wike succeed in his second term bid? That question will be left for Rivers people.
Gov. Nyesom seems to have the state structure as well as the sympathy of most Rivers people on his side. However, many of his appointees and allies, most likely, are not on the same page with him. They seem not to be happy with him, having been starved of most benefits due them, save for their salaries which definitely has caused some sort of disaffection between him and them but then they are too scared to leave (they are standing on a blade, a painful pleasure so to say ), given the nature of the Governor and thus he has 50/50 chances of going into this battle with his full army which of cause may affect his reelection.
THE BATTLE:
CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI:
This is the last tussle and a determinant of who goes on political relegation between Governor Nyesom Wike and his former boss, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Unfortunately for former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, he seems to not only be standing alone (not having the necessary backing he should) but also facing another challenge by his own nucleus follower Senator Magnus Ngei Abe who has overtime boasted of being the biggest investment of Amaechi. This implies that if Magnus goes down, then Amaechi should be ready to sink. So it is obviously not just a known enemy (Wike) battling with Amaechi, but Magnus as well, who in this case can be best described as “Friendly Enemy” or as modern English language will call it ‘Frenemy’
Recall that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has always been known for being between the Lion and the Deep Blue sea whenever his next level is to be decided and has always come out victorious but this time, one is afraid since the fight is not just between him and Wike but some friendly enemies at the federal level who are not really happy with his pace of growth in the politics of Nigeria. Now it is between Amaechi, Magnus, and some national bodies. Will Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi survive this? His “Chi” has always vindicated him, we just hope same victorious fate awaits him this time because it’s going to be a tough one.
NYESOM WIKE:
Governor Nyesom Wike also unfortunately does not have the odds in his favour. First is his immediate cabinet who seem to be divided and angered over the outcome of the recently conducted local government elections and the just concluded party primaries which has left many of them aggrieved until today. Secondly in the last National Convention of the PDP, Governor Nyesom Wike played deadly politics that caused serious disaffection between him , the Northern cabal and some Southern and Eastern decision makers who believe he is overstepping his bounds and proving to be Lord over those before him. This therefore may (if not already) affect his reelection drastically.
THE BATTLE:
CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI:
This is the last tussle and a determinant of who goes on political relegation between Governor Nyesom Wike and his former boss, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Unfortunately for former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, he seems to not only be standing alone (not having the necessary backing he should) but also facing another challenge by his own nucleus follower Senator Magnus Ngei Abe who has overtime boasted of being the biggest investment of Amaechi. This implies that if Magnus goes down, then Amaechi should be ready to sink. So it is obviously not just a known enemy (Wike) battling with Amaechi, but Magnus as well, who in this case can be best described as “Friendly Enemy” or as modern English language will call it ‘Frenemy’
Recall that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has always been known for being between the Lion and the Deep Blue sea whenever his next level is to be decided and has always come out victorious but this time, one is afraid since the fight is not just between him and Wike but some friendly enemies at the federal level who are not really happy with his pace of growth in the politics of Nigeria. Now it is between Amaechi, Magnus, and some national bodies. Will Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi survive this? His “Chi” has always vindicated him, we just hope same victorious fate awaits him this time because it’s going to be a tough one.
NYESOM WIKE:
Governor Nyesom Wike also unfortunately does not have the odds in his favour. First is his immediate cabinet who seem to be divided and angered over the outcome of the recently conducted local government elections and the just concluded party primaries which has left many of them aggrieved until today. Secondly in the last National Convention of the PDP, Governor Nyesom Wike played deadly politics that caused serious disaffection between him , the Northern cabal and some Southern and Eastern decision makers who believe he is overstepping his bounds and proving to be Lord over those before him. This therefore may (if not already) affect his reelection drastically.
The Governor, also in recent times, has been ridiculing the traditional stools and of course, you know the outcome when these ancestral custodians relate to their people heart to heart. Obviously, the odds are against him but as usual the Governor has carved out a plan to take back power not minding what it will cost him.
In all, let me reiterate, “Power belongs to God, and he gives it to him whom He wills”.
Between former Governor Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike, one of them will lose grip of Rivers politics come what may. We can only pray that innocent lives won’t be lost in the midst of this battle and hunt for power.
Will the Supreme Court still decide who becomes the governor of Rivers State after the 2019 elections? Your guess is as good as mine.
“Lord have Mercy”.
Samuel Benedict Jumbo, an activist, social commentator, and diplomat by training, sent in this article from Bonny Island, Rivers State.
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