As I write this piece, the leaders of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, are visiting the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, to convince him to join their political party. The visit is a clear signal of the wide division in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and may become the beginning of the end of their majoritarian grip to power for more than a decade. Many also believe that the nature of the visit confirms that the efforts to reconcile the ruling party might have broken down irredeemably. What was supposed to be a mere visit was turned into a carnival of sorts as thousands of supporters reportedly trooped in from all the local governments to welcome the visitors at the capital city. The internal conflict within the state chapter of the PDP was worsened by alleged meddlesomeness of the President to wrest the party structure from Amaechi whom he suspected would not support his ambition for re-election in 2015. In addition, it was alleged that the President interfered with the outcome of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum by recognising Amaechi’s opponent, Jonah Jang, whom he defeated during the body’s chairmanship election a few months ago. It is believed that the lingering crisis in the part is overheating the polity. Many have wished that these stalwarts mend their fences or go their separate ways. Observers accuse Amaechi and his other six colleagues as arrogant and power hungry politicians, a charge they have continuously denied arguing instead that they are pushing for political reforms. In particular, the Rivers State Governor has argued that several forms of punishments have been unleashed at the state which has had adverse effects on the citizenry. The grounding of his aircraft many months ago, limited federal infrastructural presence in the state, centrifugal activities of the Commissioner of Police, Matthew Mbu, defiant closure of the secretariat of Obio/Okpor Local Government Area against court order and the controversial seizure of oil wells belonging to the state without due process have been sighted as examples. Amaechi’s critics have apparently absolved the Presidency of any form of complicity in any of these issues but rather accused the governor of disrespect and arrogance to the office of the President. Now, let us look further at the oil well issue. The boundary between any two states ought to be a constant not a variable. However, this is often not the same especially in oil bearing Niger Delta communities. How come that the axis of the Rivers-Bayelsa boundary that was said to be at Santa Babara River now surreptitiously moved to San Bartholomew River by a “new version” of a boundary map? It was a tricky one that involved two sister ethnic groups that do not have a history of harmonious relationship. One will think that with the era of the Niger Delta Presidency, such matters will be objectively and permanently settled. Does it mean that no one can confirm the real end of one community and the beginning of another? Where are the community leaders of Soku, Idama, Abissa, Oluasiri and Kula? Did the Federal Government intervene as an unbiased umpire? Then, how come part of the monies that accrued from the disputed oil wells were allegedly released to one party in the dispute without the consent of the other? How else can confidence be punctured? In a country where support is traded for favours, how can these communities be persuaded to support the government at the centre unless and until they get justice? How can someone expect the political leader of such a group to keep quiet in such a circumstance? However, many critics opine that Amaechi is always quick to run to court with “family matters” without exhausting internal channels. As Governor and Chairman of the NGF, many people expect that he will have unhindered access to the President to enable a speedy resolution of such matters. Despite the existence of a vocal opposition, observers have applauded the commitment of the government of Rivers State to developing a post-oil boom economy especially in the agricultural sector. The establishment of Songhai Rivers Integrated Farms in the Tai area of Ogoniland, an initiative similar to Soghai Farms in Port Novo, Benin Republic, easily comes to mind. The contagious success of the project led many states such as Delta, Lagos and Abia to try to replicate it. There is also the Banana plantation established through a Public-Private-Partnership with a Mexican firm and the fish farm. All these efforts are calculated to trigger an alternative economy that will reduce the unemployment rate among the youths. Although unemployment is still a huge problem in Rivers State, such projects with potential long term positive impact must be applauded. Though Amaechi’s performance is widely acknowledged, the current political crisis has constituted a major distraction to him. A lot of work is still left undone in the state. However, this may actually be part of his undoing. Many of his opponents think he talks often to the media. For instance, during his first tenure as Chairman of the NGF, Amaechi was always speaking to the press which gave him some publicity mileage but not without a cost. It was reported that one of his media friendly colleagues became so angry that it formed part of the reasons why he eventually opposed him vehemently. There are two sides to this issue. The first is that the office of the Chairman of any association ought to be separate from that of the Public Relations Officer. Or, put differently, Amaechi would have made an effort to separate the office of the Chairman from that of the PRO. Combining them might have been an error. A clear separation might have saved some unnecessary media exposure and possibly reduced the number of enemies he made for himself which discharging a legitimate function. Another side to the frequent media exposure was that it presented Amaechi as the arrow head of most of the controversial NGF decisions he announced. One final point is about the deteriorating security in Rivers State. Security is at the heart of governance. For anyone to govern effectively then he must have a say about the safety and security of the people. With the lingering crisis between the Governor of Rivers State and the Commissioner of Police, it is crystal clear that there are those who do not want Amaechi to do what he was elected to do. Now, he and his colleagues are threatening to leave the party. When the core essence of a man’s mandate is threatened, why will anyone blame him over whatever way he chooses to respond? Now, you must get me clear here. I am totally against the way a minor and preventable brotherly conflict has been allowed to escalate to a national political stalemate. I am not here to apportion blames. Both President Jonathan and Amaechi have dropped the ball at one time or another. Believe me, I have very little sympathy for both of them. It is up to them if they can still recapitulate. The people I feel for are these innocent people who have continuously been at the receiving end of the negative consequences of problems they did not cause. I mean the people of Soku whose oil wells have been taken away or the Obio/Okpor indigenes whose Local Government Secretariat remain locked despite a substantive court order or the Ogoni people who agonise daily at the failed promises of the UNEP report or the unfortunate 13,200 teachers who were teargased because they dared to gather and other communities in Rivers State who sleep and wake in fear and uncertainty due to rising insecurity. Who will fight for them amidst the growing culture of impunity? punchng/opinion/random-thoughts-on-the-rivers-saga/
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:39:19 +0000
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