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Bestiality Of Power: Modus Operandi (6)
In this concluding part of the series, effort will be made to pick out and clarify the various methods and strategies which had been used over many centuries to apply power as an instrument of bestiality.
Firstly, it is quite instructive that ancient Jews classified humanity into 12 categories, commonly known as the 12 tribes of Juda. Each of these classifications represents definite life-qualities of which the wandering or marauding quality is one.
Human races and groups bear various life qualities, distributed all over the earth, and by breeding and marital processes, there came to be some inter-connectivity, such that there is no absolutely pure race. Tribes that were born to rule and those that would be fetchers of water and hewers of wood, cannot make absolute claims to such inheritance, because, much water had passed under the bridge over the past millennia.
Tribes of wandering marauders, sea-farers, priests, etc, hardly remain pure and intact now, as a result of many factors. Two major proclivities or propensities emerged strong in the process of human interactions and developments. One is a fanatical instinct of domination or obsession with territorial control, and the other is religious fanaticism. These two tendencies have a common root, which has to do with the mind.
Studies in the operations of the human mind show that the search for security and material well being resulted in an imbalance in the wholesome utilisation of the resources of the mind. The outcome was an excessive development of the objective or intellectual portion of the brain.
Where the whole brain is working in harmony there is usually some element of ethical morality balancing objective rationality, ensuring justice in all dealings. It is called humanistic value.
Those who had relied solely on objective sensory mechanism of the brain soon discovered that force, fear and intimidation always gave them some edge over other people in their dealings. To avoid physical conflicts and reprisals; cunning, subterfuge and pretences served as alternative strategies of taking undue advantage of others. Over a long period of time, this strategy developed into a standing culture or mindset.
Power soon became a by-product of the criminal mind, but to avoid immediate conflict, power has to be applied with tact and caution. An example is Wole Soyinka’s ancient parable of the colonial victim – when the missionaries came, say the converts, they pressed the bible into our hands, told us to shut our eyes, kneel on the ground and pray. When we opened our eyes, we still had the bible, but the land was gone.”
It is no mischief to say that a great deal of criminal activities are committed under the invocation of the Name of the Lord. Thus, abusers of power usually hide under the mask of religion. From personal transactions to international trades and diplomatic affairs, not all those who use God’s Name mean well.
Trans-continental acts of brigandage were usually facilitated by the availability of superior technologies. In the modern times, fear of exposures, protests and condemnations make abusers of power to use hypocrisy, cunning, treachery, etc, to do exploits. Even state policies and programmes serve as subtle means of abuses of power. From the invasion of foreign territories as in the past, the power game is now localised, it is internal imperialism.
Allocation of oil blocks to individuals rarely go with the wherewithal to operate it; so foreign partnership comes in. Similarly, to plunge into deeper waters, the strategy is to fly a kite first. For example, grazing cattle in other people’s farmlands, followed by use of guns, bolders swagger and impunity. Meanwhile, faceless sponsors would be monitoring reactions and planning new strategies. Expansionist and imperial proclivities can manifest anywhere and at different dimensions, some of which can grow into crisis point.
Another strategy of a bestial use of power is the exploitation of human weaknesses. Fears of different kinds, superstitious beliefs, gluttony and the love of comfort and quick gains are some of the ready human weaknesses that are easily exploited by people obsessed with power. Apprentices in this project start as fraudsters, and after the accumulation of some capital, then plunge into big business or politics. There may be accomplices or a formidable alliance of powerful groups, to form an operating empire.
To discover what it is about power which can make people blind and unreasonable, study the various things that people can easily fall prey to. These traps range from women, to the human tendency to escape from the rigour of duty. It is not always money that can serve as a trap, but treachery can, after trust has been gained. So, those who bestialise power rarely have any scruples in the use of treachery and deceit to derail those trust they have been able to win, with patience.
For political wheeler-dealers, the slogan remains true that there are no permanent friends or enemies, but permanent interests. The core or permanent interest is obsession with territorial control. The conscience rarely counts or stands on the way of those who use power as a weapon to dominate a small or large empire. Abuse of power is predatory mindset.
Bright Amirize
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.