Politics
The Next Rivers Governor
Last Saturday, the Kalabari ethnic nationality conferred on Governor. Nyesom Wike the chieftaincy title of Se- Ibidokubo of Kalabari (meaning a champion of development of the Kalabari ethnic nation).
The event which took place at the school field, Abalama in Asari-Toru Local Government Area was the high point of the civic reception held in honour and appreciation of the Rivers State Governor by the traditional institution, governments and people of Kalabari Kingdom.
In all its form and content, the occasion could not have been better organised. Traditional rulers and chiefs from all three local government areas of Degema, Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru turned out in their gorgeous regal best. The famous traditional iria dance and token masquerade displays spiced up the occasion with the brief appearances of top Nigerian entertainers like Flavor and Gordons as icing on the cake.
Perhaps to emphasise the point that the occasion was mainly organised to express gratitude to the state chief executive for his developmental footprints in Kalabari land, only banners and billboards with messages welcoming the governor were erected. There were indeed none promoting any aspirants to any political office
No speeches were also entertained from government or political party functionaries. In fact, only four good will messages were taken from Prof. Nimi Briggs, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Ms Ann Kio-Brisggs, Niger Delta environmental activist, Chief Dumo LuLu-Briggs, businessman, politician and philanthropist and Engr. Dagogo Jack.
As if forbidden to speak pointedly, all of them spoke in inuendos and euphernisms in reference to the one central issue preoccupying the minds, hearts and souls of every bonafide Kalabari son and daughter (at home or in the diaspora; in APC or PDP or any other political party; politically active or passive).
Prof Briggs broached it when he said that the Kalabari man had well paid his dues in the overall development effort of Rivers State and therefore is well deserving of his reward come 2023.
His submission drew cheers and applause of affirmation from the crowd as did the petition of Chief Dumo Briggs that Governor Wike use his good office to take the Kalabaris out of the political wilderness in 2023.
In his reponse, Governor Wike was true to type as he did not make any commitments but categorically told his hosts (and indeed other Rivers people) what they must do if they desired to produce the next governor of Rivers State.
According to him, the Kalabari people needed the strength of unity and the power of single mindedness in order to achieve their dreams while advising them to love themselves more and refrain from in-dividualism and selfishness.
He said he would not commit himself with a promise to hand over power to a Kalabari son or daughter but urged them to prepare to show themselves worthy of the coveted seat in an all comers’ open contest.
“ If you are waiting for me to say that I will give power to Kalabari, you’re wasting your time because I will not say it,’’ Governor Wike said, emphasising that ’’ I have not promised anybody that he will be governor after me’’.
He said he maintains his position that Rivers people don’t have to destroy themselves over the governorship of the state, adding that he had the same message for the Kalabaris as he had for the Ogonis and indeed all Rivers people.
‘’Like I told the Ogoni people when they honoured me, you must stop destroying each other because of the governorship of Rivers State .
“ Kalabari people, you must put yourselves together and stop bringing yourselves down. You have been aspiring to be governor since 1999 but you can’t get it by fighting yourselves.
‘‘Anybody that wants to be governor should prepare himself for it, you must stop being selfish about it. It can be anybody,’’ he admonished.
Governor Wike affirmed that the governorship of Rivers State come 2023 will go to any Rivers man who demonstrates capacity to fight and win the office just as he did in 2015 and 2019 against a host of stiff and intimidating opposition forces from within and outside.
‘’ Everybody has the chance of becoming the Governor of Rivers State, but you must have the capacity to stand to fight for it,’’ he said, averring that the next governor of Rivers State requires a personality who would not dither in his convictions but be bold, courageous and resolute to withstand invading and marauding forces aiming at the soul of the state and its people.
‘’ When I wanted to be governor, I came out and fought for it. I fought a sitting governor and I said let heaven fall, I will be governor and I am governor today with your support.
“ Anybody that will be governor of Rivers State must be prepared to face the army and police.
‘‘You remember when they brought military to fight us, did I run and leave you? I didn’t.
I stood my ground. I stood firm, and with your support, we defeated them. So anybody that wants to be governor must stand firm,’’ he said.
Of course, going by the last two experiences, Rivers people and those resident in the state have cause to be apprehenive and jiteryjittery elections next year. Especially, with the opposition party in the state still in shreds, it is difficult for anyone to see how fast they could organise themselves to engage in a serious electoral contest with decency if they desire to win.
Be that as it may, there are many who believe that beyond the federal security aparati, the invading and marauding forces that need to be kept at bay would include economic and social enemies of the people.
To this end, therefore, the next governor of Rivers State, many expect, must show capacity to take Rivers people to a whole new level of economic prosperity and social wellbeing.
They say that the next governor should be one that will be a worthy successor to Governor Wike who has worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation for sustainable growth and development of all sectors of the society. He or she must therefore show a workable concrete economic blueprint and clear roadmap to building a yet further united and stronger Rivers State.
He must possess the drive and the zeal to improve the lot of the common people. Surely, not just a politician will do.
By: Opaka Dokubo
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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