Special Edition

Fighting Insecurity In A Democracy

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2022

By: Nelson Chukwudi

The birth of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, ushered in a new democratic experiment after many years of military dictatorship. This journey actually began with the Third Republic’s botched June 12, 1993 election, which was presumably won by the then Social Democratic Convention (SDC) Presidential Candidate, Chief MKO Abiola, whose running mate was Babagana Kingibe. Both had defeated a Kano son, Bashir Tofa, in a landslide victory adjudged by the international community as the most acceptable democratic election in Nigeria’s history. But the Northern cabal would not agree.
That epochal event brought to the fore the high level of injustice and the skewed political foundation that have since shaped the social, political and economic direction of Nigeria. The consequential upheavals which enveloped the country in the aftermath of the annulment of the most free, fair and credible election have yet to eclipse. No doubt, June 12 unleashed new security architecture, and changed the nation’s security order.
The new security order began to take root in June, 1993, even in the face of brutal repressive tactics orchestrated by the military. The glaring threat to Nigeria’s security, majorly forced the formation of an Interim National Government by the Gen Ibrahim Babangida regime. In a clear move to douse tension, he appointed Abiola’s kinsman, Chief Ernest Shonekan as head. But in a coup led by Gen Sani Abacha, that appeasement option was jettisoned for a democratic transition process that was marred by turbulent hic-cups.
With many ethnic nationalities in the South obviously disenchanted by the denial of their right to govern the nation by the North, as exemplified by the manoeuvres and intrigues surrounding the annulment of the election, various groups resorted to arms struggle to push their political interests. Just as the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ijaw National Congress (INC), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and others were working to achieve political inclusion and participation through non-violent, intellectual engagements; some other more youthful wings of their communities were reticent and bellicose, like the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and some militant cells across the Niger Delta fighting for resource control.
Even though the Abacha regime deployed crude force to quell the agitations, the movement dislocated the social order and entrenched harbingers of insecurity that amassed large swathe of illegal arms and ammunition in the hands of non-state actors, who used them against government assets and perceived agents. Then, Abacha died, leaving behind a nation riddled by disturbing security challenges.
However, seeing that the agitations would not just fizzle out without any clear attempt to remedy the grievances of the South with the Presidency of the country, the Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar regime, which took over after the sudden death of Abacha, contrived a transition programme that gave the Yorubas the opportunity to produce the president in a national election. Even so, pressure from the Southern agitators, indeed, contributed to the emergence of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, but their activities no doubt laid the foundation for insecurity in Nigeria today.
To extinguish the Southern agitation, the Abdulsalami Abubakar regime, in a compromise deal, released Gen Olusegun Obasanjo from prison, and gave him the ticket of the newly formed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest for the presidency against his Yoruba brother, Olu Falae. Although Obasanjo’s victory in that election significantly acted as a soothing balm to calm frayed nerves in the South, the seed of discord and militarisation of social fabric in the communities have remained untamed, and therefore, a dangerous cancer and monster threatening the peace and unity of the country.
The Odi and Zaki Ibiam massacres, the Zango Kataf and Jos killings on the Plateau, among other fratricidal pogroms were indicators that the culture of hate and intolerance has been assimilated, and therefore, wittingly or unwittingly internalised across many hitherto friendly neighbours along religious, ethnic, tribal and cultural lines. Little wonder that during the eight years of Obasanjo presidency, militancy in the Niger Delta laced with kidnapping and hostage taking, attacks on oil and gas facilities and crass sabotage of pipelines, flowstations and power plants, including killings were commonplace. Elsewhere in the South-East and South-West, uneasy calm pervaded the atmosphere, with the military on red alert to crush any ugly uprising.
In the North, Obasanjo’s deployment of iron fist rather than engagements and dialogue in quelling social disorders in Kaduna and Plateau, just as was also the case in the South resulted in the springing up of armed religious fundamentalists and Islamists. It emboldened the likes of Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, the progenitor of Boko Haram, to intensify his exploitation of the mass of illiterate and ignorant amaljiris, extending to Bauchi and Yobe, some of whom he helped travel to Libya and Sudan for combat military training in alliance with underground foreign collaborators. His admirer and co-traveller, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky also clandestinely continued the push to broaden his access to radical Iranian fundamentalists to import, promote and spread extreme Islamic traits and cultures in Kaduna and neighbouring states, including Zamfara, Kano and Jigawa.
The unwholesome activities of these elements, to a very large extent, created the atmosphere of insecurity in the North as a counterforce to the agitations in the South. The extrajudicial killing of Yusuf in police custody and the repressive tactics of Obasanjo aided and abated the surge of insecurity in the North, just as the South was already terrorised by disoriented but armed restive youths. Thus, the exit of Obasanjo after eight years in the saddle in 2007 without engaging the distraught armed youths across all regions in dialogue and negotiation was, by the assessment of many experts, a disservice to the fatherland. This is because, in a democracy, honest engagement, strategic dialogue and guided negotiations are embedded tools for resolving disagreements and fashioning more defined path to social peace, political stability and economic growth and development.
Therefore, Obasanjo’s arranged handover to Katsina-born Umaru Ya’Adua as a way of returning political power to the North may, to the PDP and the cabal, have been the best option to achieving justice and equity. But it obviously was not the most potent answer to the question of insecurity in the land. Indeed, Ya’Adua’s subtle approach to reconciliation, reintegration, rehabilitation, and resettlement, which was the cornerstone of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) designed for Niger Delta militants, was applauded as meeting global benchmark for peace building; the strategy was not religiously implemented to achieve the desired goal, thereby leaving certain armed youths behind.
Ya’Adua’s death after a protracted illness, and Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s assumption of the Office of the President in 2010, and his eventual election to serve full four-year tenure in 2011 was definitely a tonic for the Niger Delta renaissance. But the seed of anger and hate already showed in the North over the circumstances of Ya’Adua’s death did not help the peace and stability of the country. Instead, it exacerbated the crisis of confidence in the polity, and triggered the resurgence of Boko Haram as a full-blown terrorist operation, first in the central axis of Kogi, Nasarawa, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, and Jigawa, before moving North-East to Yobe, Borno and Adamawa with the aim of linking its transnational collaborators in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. Those splinter groups and their admirers are still enjoying, though illegally, the resources of the commonwealth, unleashing severe environmental devastation and pollution on the Niger Delta.
The murderous events of the spread of Al-Qaeda from Afghanistan’s Taliban to the Middle East, and its transmutation to Islamic State (ISIS) and desperate attempts to establish a Caliphate in Iraq are well documented by history. Similarly, the fall of Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and the convergence of Islamic fundamentalist fighters in the Sahel, as well as their movements to certain West African countries to cause instability have not helped promote peace and security of harmonious communities in the North, particularly in those communities at the fringe of the borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Their push to settle in hitherto peaceful communities has not been welcoming to many, thereby leading to bloody attacks in efforts to subjugate the people.
Of course, the use of armed and murderous herdsmen to penetrate the communities in North-Central, South-South, South-West, and South-East, and moves to replicate the Caliphate’s spectre of Raqqa in Iraq and Syria through acts of terrorism in Northern Nigeria, have unleashed unceasing momentum of insecurity, bloodletting and kidnapping, sometimes, for ransom to fund their operation. The terrorists, whether they are bandits, Boka Haram or Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP), have also used revenues from drug trafficking to fund their heinous enterprise. They have been fighting endlessly to create an atmosphere of fear, tension and instability in Nigeria.
Muhammau Buhari’s election in 2015 on a commitment to end insurgency and insecurity, and the trust Nigerians bestowed on him as a former military General, has not resulted in the resolution of the crisis as insecurity still festers. The setting up of the North-East development Commission (NEDC) in the framework of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was a deliberate response to appease the North. Although certain experts argue that Boko Haram has been weakened and greatly neutralised in the North-East, its activities could still be felt once in a while in vulnerable communities, including Maiduguri. The resettlement efforts in Chibok, Damboa, Dapchi, Michika, Monguno, among others in the North-East, have not been executed smoothly without attempts to truncate the process.
In the North-West, the terrorists masquerading as bandits have not toned down their dastardly and barbaric activities. The orgy of kidnapping and killings, including of school children and worshippers in the house of God, has been relentless. Even Islamic leaders, such as Sheikh Abubakar Gumi and others, have canvassed negotiation and amnesty for terrorists as a panacea to the insecurity. The National Assembly has even gone ahead to pass bills creating development commissions across all the zones of the country as a political weapon to douse the tension and restore peace and order in the society.
In the South-East, promoters of Biafra have also taken up arms to assert their resolve to defend their cause for self-determination. The wanton killings and horrific bloodletting in Igbo communities have remained a cause for concern to genuine stakeholders and advocates of peace and unity of Nigeria. The arrest and prosecution of the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has not also helped the peace building process.
In all these, the trillions of Naira and billions of Dollars invested in arms and ammunition procurement, including fighter jets, such as the American Tucano war-machines, armoured personnel carriers, among others, have not resulted in clear victory for the Armed Forces against the harbingers of terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria. Also, the massive weapons, both light and heavy, procured for the security agencies and other morale boosters, have not resulted in the resolution of the security infractions across the country. The deployment of thousands of tactical military personnel to the frontlines have been sustained and consolidated. But the peace has yet to be achieved!
Therefore, like military experts and technocrats often say, ‘military operations and actions alone do not end wars, diplomacy does’. They argue that no war in history has ended through military exploits. They insist instead, that all military conflicts have ended at the negotiating tables where thorny and complex issues were extensively diagnosed, analysed and remedied for the greater good of the larger population, not the politicians and military generals.
While this concept is understandably germane in some aspects of the Nigerian security crisis, such as the Biafra, Yoruba Nation, and Niger Delta agitators simply because of the clarity and consistency of their objectives; the ISWAP, Boko Haram and bandits’ goals are inconsistent and not clear-cut. Therefore, while fighting insecurity and winning the war in the South through dialogue and diplomacy may be plausible, the same cannot be projected in the case of the North until a clear pattern and objective is identified.
Like Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said during his inaugural address on May 29, 2015, “No government is worth any value if it cannot guarantee the security of lives and property. I assure you that never for a moment will our administration be a captive of politics, when it comes to public security. We have the political will to fight, defeat crimes and criminality in Rivers State. There will be effective coordination, collaboration and synergy with the Federal Government, the law enforcement agencies and our community leaders in the prosecution of the war against cultism, kidnapping and armed robbery. We urge our people to fully co-operate with us in this direction”.
Buhari, in 2019, declared June 12 every year as public holiday to celebrate the success of Nigerian democracy and the forces behind it. This, to many, was another conduit for appeasement of dissatisfied politicians and individuals in the nation’s body polity. But whether this step has crystallised in promoting peaceful co-existence and religious harmony among the divergent ethnic groups is not certain.
Therefore, as Nigerians celebrate June 12, it is important to appeal that since the cardinal responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property of every citizen, fighting insecurity in a democracy, should be carefully thought through. Different benchmarks should be adopted in addressing the various challenges, including strategic engagements and dialogue. In the same vein, where negotiations fail, tactical military approach, including mercenaries and clandestine sabotage operations should be deployed to consistently destabilise the terrorists’ leadership structures, and subjugate them to submission to Nigerian political authority and sovereignty. This may be a window to winning the fight against insecurity in a democracy such as ours.
But honestly, fighting and winning the war against insecurity in a democracy goes beyond military and security operatives’ arms confrontation with the elements of destabilisation. In fact, various tools must be employed. These include building a resilient economy capable of sustaining strong employment profile for the youths, building vibrant revenue windows for all strata of the society. It also encompasses the building of strong corporate institutions and agencies in both private and public sectors to withstand shocks in the social, political and economic system. It further involves entrenching justice and equity as natural principles of governance, just as freedoms and liberty must form bedrocks for human interactions in all spheres of life.
To win the fight against insecurity, political leaders must provide enabling legislation and implement policies that promote justice and inclusion for all, including those with disabilities. The political class must also work in concert with the private sector to establish drivers of an economy that is strong and capable of sustaining and accommodating the labour force, and providing wages that encourage merit-based work environment that is productive. Indeed, labour must be properly compensated with commensurate wages. Seniors and veterans must be paid their pensions, and social security valves must be provided for the vulnerable ones in the society.
Fighting insecurity in a democracy is beyond procuring arms and ammunition for the Armed Forces and the security agencies. It must include building consensus and buy-in for communities, which must be seen to be working as equal stakeholders in governance, so they can furnish security agencies with critical intelligence to fight crime and criminality. Political leaders must deliver people-oriented governance, investing in infrastructure, human capacity development, and promoting justice, equity, freedom and liberty for all.
They must eschew corruption in the management of public resources, and ensure prudent and equitable distribution of resources to alleviate poverty. In fact, leaders at all levels must ensure that levers of social unrest and discontent are addressed early enough to avoid escalating grievances in conflicts and crisis in any form. These are the ways to fight insecurity in a democracy. Rhetoric and grandstanding, brute force and miscarriage of justice, and other actions that deny people their legitimate rights, freedoms and liberties as well as access to available opportunities to achieve their potentials must be jettisoned.
Democracy thrives in an atmosphere of justice, equity, freedom and inclusion. The opposite brings about insecurity and instability.
Happy Democracy Day to Nigerians!

Special Edition

How Rivers People React To Fubara’s Victory At S’Court

Published

3 months ago

January 28, 2024

The Tide

The people of Rivers State have continued to react to the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed the victory of Governor Siminilayi Fubara in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the State.
A cross section of Rivers people which includes members of the Rivers State Elders Council, traditional rulers, lawyers and civil servants said the Supreme Court’s victory signified power shift from the bourgeois to the common people of the State.
They also described the Supreme Court judgment as a victory for democracy and the people of the State, noting that it has brought peace and stability to the State.
In a chat with The Tide, former spokesman of PANDEF and member of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the election victory of Governor Fubara.
Chief Sara-Igbe described the apex court judgment as the will of the people of Rivers State.
He said, “there were anticipation and there were worries and we heard all kinds of rumours. Many people were afraid, but for some of us we were very sure that justice will be dispensed.”
He, however, added that it was not yet victory as detractors will want to come up with new tactics to distract Fubara’s administration especially now that the Supreme Court has affirmed him as governor.
“We are concerned that Wike’s dogs will be unleashed and that is why some of us in the Elders Council have gone to court. We want to make sure that Mr. Governor is free to do what he wants without fear and favour.”
Also hailing the judgement, the paramount ruler of Okwuzi community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni local Government Area, HRH Eze Victor Afaka, in a telephone interview with The Tide, described Governor Fubara’s victory at the Supreme Court as an act of God.
Describing Fubara as a God-sent man to Rivers people, the monarch said the activities of the governor within the last few months in office has shown him to be a capable leader who has what it takes to govern and take the State to a higher level.
He said that the victory has removed all forms of distractions as the governor will now have rest of mind to implement his policies for the State.
Eze Afaka also congratulated the governor on his birthday and pledged the support and loyalty of his people to his administration.
Another traditional ruler, the Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, described the apex court verdict as a victory for all.
Eke said that there was “no victor no vanquished” as the judgment was divinely constructed.
Waxing spiritually, the Evo monarch said, “By strength shall no man prevail, and in everything situation, all glory should be given to God.”
He urged Fubara to use the Supreme Court victory to unite the people of the State.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Minama Community in Asari Toru Local Government Area of the State, King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, said the court’s judgement was a confirmation that Rivers people voted for Fubara.
“The Supreme court has reconfirmed the position of Rivers State. This is a man we the Rivers people voted for. We decided to vote for him to be our governor because we have seen him as a man that has the leadership quality who can carry us to where we are supposed to be both in developmental projects, human capital resources and other areas of investment”, he said.
He added that the judgement has also brought peace and stability to the state.
Pokubo who is also the chairman, Asari Toru Area Council of Traditional Rulers, also thanked God for making the governor to celebrate his birthday while in office.
In his own reaction, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bori branch, Hon Joel Didi Esq, described the Supreme Court judgement as a welcome development.
“It is one that is based on sound legal reasoning and a thorough judicial review.
“For I perceived that the judgment is intended to bring stability to Rivers people because the judges in their wisdom have taken a clear view of the situation, not just the law, and in their magnanimity have been able to bring a lot of things into question.
“That is to say Rivers State should not be in turmoil, Rivers state should not be in crisis.”
He added that the judgement means a return of power to the people as it is the common people who celebrated more than the bourgeoisie.
On his part, Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, said the Supreme Court’s verdict on Fubara was long expected, adding that it is a confirmation that he was divinely elected.
Cookey-Gam, while praying for Fubara for God’s wisdom and vision to lead Rivers State, said time has come for all good citizens of the state to join hands to make the state better and greater.
Also reacting to last Thursday’s court judgement, a former Leader of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Chinwendu Isaac Orduwa, described Fubara’s victory at the apex court as thunderous.
Orduwa said the Supreme Court judgement has proved that “the race does not belong to the swiftest nor to the quickest, but to whom the Lord showeth mercy.”
He advised people to always study history and know that nothing lasts forever.
On her part, a civil servant with the State Government, Dr Furo Jack, ascribed Fubara’s victory to the prayers of civil servants in the State who were robbed off all their dues during the last administration.
Jack said the victory should also be seen as a humble ground for good governance and opportunity to better the lot of workers in the state.
According to her, the victory should also end the mentality of paying attention to the development of one local government area more than others, as such will defeat the aim of the divine intervention embedded in the victory.
A lecturer with the Rivers State University, Dr Didia Monday Kinikanwo, in his view, said since the victory has relaxed tension in the state.
He, therefore, urged the governor, to as a matter of urgency and necessity, review the circumstances behind the suspension of the employment processes in the State especially that of Ignatius Ajuru University and do the needful.
He believes that the apex court judgment has the hand of God and must not be used as an opportunity to pay back evil or to depend on men for directions, but should rather be used to draw closer to God for divine intervention.
Meanwhile, an elite group under the aegis of Ogoni Welfare Association (OWA) has expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed Fubura as the governor of Rivers State.
Chairman of the association, Lagos Branch, ThankGod Meekor, who extended the group’s congratulatory message to the governor and people of the State, called on the State government to address challenges faced by the people.
Meekor, in a statement yesterday, said the court verdict would give room for peace in the State, even as he urged the government to focus on good governance.
The statement read in part, “It is important to note that with victory, the governor and government, the state will have fewer distractions and hence will completely focus on delivering good governance to the people.
“We therefore look forward to a new, peaceful and dynamic Rivers State, the true Treasure Base of the Nation.”
The Tide had, last Friday, reported that civil servants and other well meaning Nigerians in Rivers State celebrated Fubara’s victory at the Supreme Court.
There was massive jubilation in parts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday, immediately the Supreme Court affirmed Fubara’s victory as the governor’s supporters took to the street to celebrate his victory.
Taking the lead are State civil servants who erupted in victory songs and dancing as they trooped out from their various offices in jubilation at the Rivers State Secretariat.
At the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt, last Thursday, workers abandoned their duty posts to join in the celebration of Fubara’s victory. The car park of Block ‘C’ of the secretariat complex was filled to the brim as workers were seen dancing and jubilating.
Also at the Government House main car park, supporters and loyalists of the governor were seen dancing and jubilating while the troupe of the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture (RSCAC) was seen arranging their equipment for cultural performances later in the day.
There were also many viral videos of people dancing and praising God for the victory of the governor across the State.
Many others took to their various social media platforms to express their reactions on the Supreme Court’s judgement.
A legal practitioner and former Commissioner for Information and Communications in the State, Emma Okah, on his Facebook page says: “It is victory for Gov Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State and Rule of Law”.
Also, a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Seminitari, simply said: Thank you, Lord!
A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Olalekan Ige, on his part said the victory is a befitting birthday gift to Governor Fubara whose birthday is January 28.
The Supreme Court had, last Thursday, dismissed the appeal of Tonye Cole and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the election of Fubara as Rivers State governor for lacking in merit.
The court held that the appellant did not prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among other things, and declared that the appeal was incompetent and dismissed it.
Cole, the APC candidate in the March 18, 2023, election, challenged Governor Fubara’s victory on the grounds that he did not resign as the Accountant General of Rivers State before the election.
The APC governorship candidate also cited alleged irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and corrupt practices.
He sought the reversal of the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Tribunal, which upheld the declaration of Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Rivers Governorship Election.
The apex court, however, yesterday, held that the appellant did not prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among other things.

John Bibor, Kelvin Nengia, King Onunwor
& Nkpemenyie Mcdominic

Special Edition

The Man Siminalayi Fubara: Upbringing, Rise To Power, Political Battles, Future Prospects

Published

3 months ago

January 28, 2024

The Tide

The man, Siminalayi Joseph Fubara was born in Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State on January 28, 1975. This means that he is 49 years today. At birth, he was christened “Siminalayi” which, in Opobo-Ibani-Ijaw dialect, translates as “the poor may beget the rich”.
He is the second of five children and the first son of late Joseph Fubara, a former soldier who had an overseas training tour of duty, and late Love Fubara, a civil servant, who worked with the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation. Both late Joseph and his wife, Love, were descendants of Fubara and Jaja families of Opobo Town. Siminalayi is married to Valerie Fubara. They are blessed with three children.
He attended Opobo Primary School where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1986, and Comprehensive Secondary School, Opobo, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1992. After his secondary education, Siminalayi moved to the former Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), where he obtained a degree in Business Education with specialisation in accountancy.
Not satisfied, he also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He has a Master of Science Degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Port Harcourt Business School.
His professional qualifications/affiliations include Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Management (FNIM), Fellow of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA) and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI). He also attended several professional conferences, seminars, workshops and training programmes, including the Federal Government of Nigeria National Training Workshops on Public Finance Management at the Federal Treasury Academy, Orozo, Abuja; Rivers State Ministry of Finance Training Programme on International Public Sector Accounting Standards and Financial Euromoney Training; and Rivers State Government/Transglobal Business Solution Limited Training Workshop on Development and Performance Measurement in Rivers State Public Finance Sector.
Siminalayi enjoyed a long, meritorious career in the state civil service, gradually rising through the ranks until he was appointed the Accountant General of the state in 2020. Indeed, his service career began in 2003 when he was appointed as a classroom teacher by the Rivers State Post-Primary Schools Board, and posted to Comprehensive High School, Alesa-Eleme, in Eleme Local Government Area. He taught there for five years, and transferred his service in 2007 from the Board to the Ministry of Finance as a Senior Accountant. From that rank, he was promoted to the position of Principal Accountant. He was later promoted as Chief Accountant, Assistant Director, Deputy Director and Director. He became Permanent Secretary, then rose to the pinnacle of his career as Accountant General. He served the state for about 19 years, before his retirement to serve in higher public office as Governor.
Siminalayi outwardly is reserved, calm, smart, calculated but meticulous. He remains socially connected to every segment of society. He is a very strong community and grassroots mobiliser. He is a man of the people, well-loved, and appreciated by the grassroots. He belongs to several social organisations, including his alma maters both at the tertiary and secondary levels. He is highly regarded for his humanity, respect for elders, and above all, his altruism. He is also generally acknowledged for the enormous respect he has for Rivers elders and frontline leaders, irrespective of their political leanings. He is peace-loving, detribalised, compassionate and benevolent.
In addition to his inclusive and generous personal philanthropic efforts, his invaluable service to the community grew from earlier volunteer work to subsequently attracting government projects to, and directing personal efforts at the development of Opobo Kingdom and the entire local government area. It is in appreciation of this deep commitment to community development that he was conferred with the prestigious traditional title of Amaopusenibo of Opobo Kingdom, a chieftaincy title that elevated him to dine and wine with Kings and Queens.
His spirit of charity and philanthropy has compelled him to assiduously work with local outreach groups, among them SWITCH-ON, Caregivers Humanitarian Outreach, on poverty alleviation, skills acquisition, scholarships and other empowerment programmes. This has, in the past three years, spurred empowerment deliverables through which many underprivileged people have gained means of livelihood.
After a pioneer programme in 2019 and palliative efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, SWITCH-ON launched a special programme for women in October 2021 tagged: Women Empowerment Programme. This was followed in July 2022 by the implementation of the Men Empowerment Programme that reached over 430 beneficiaries.
Siminalayi is a devoted Christian of the Anglican faith. Fortuitously growing up with the Anglican Church in Opobo Town just a few meters from his home, Siminalayi religiously maintained his true life of faith. He devoted his life to selfless service to humanity, committing to saving many lives for Christ, undertaking evangelism and service to the church. To encourage him, in 2020, he was bestowed with the prestigious Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) order of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria by the Evo Diocese of the church in recognition of his service to humanity and the Communion. He is also a sponsor and Patron of the Women Prayer Network in Opobo Town, dedicated to supplicating for peace and progress of the town and its people.
Siminalayi’s long-standing involvement in politics has essentially been that of a staunch democrat who believes in the power of the people. This explains his unrelenting focus on the grassroots. He is a strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. He underwent mentorship with the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and other great Rivers leaders. At one-time when some party leaders in his Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area deserted the PDP, he picked up the mantle and rebuilt it, eventually becoming the party leader in the area. His leadership brought cohesion and unity and strengthened the party in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. He is a patron of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) in Opobo/Nkoro.
He has taken his deep party loyalty and zeal across the state, following his emergence as the governorship candidate of the party for the 2023 general election. This has served in bringing back and uniting several party heavyweights both in his local government area and across the state. Siminalayi represents the younger generation of politicians in Nigeria.
He campaigned as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in Rivers State with a governance slogan: Consolidation & Continuity of the New Rivers Vision. He is on a mission to consolidate the great works of Mr. Projects in the areas of Infrastructure, Health Care, Education, Security, and Investment Opportunities. This is why he said in his “Blueprint for Consolidating the NEW Rivers Vision”, “We cannot afford to slow down…We will sustain the tempo of transformation and take the state to new levels of sustainable peace, security, progress and prosperity”.
Since May 29, 2023, when he took over the mantle of governance of the state, Siminalayi has not disappointed Rivers people. In his inaugural address, he said: “Fellow Rivers people, today, you have given me a great responsibility to preside over our state as your Governor for the next four years. I am genuinely touched by the spotlight and humbled by the honour. And this I will be the Governor of all Rivers people.
“You have invested your trust in us, and the question is how we can provide effective good governance to meet your hopes and expectations. Our response is simple and majestic. By today’s mandate, you have asked for continuity in leadership and like a strong relay team, we have accepted the baton to continue the race.
“Together, we embody our collective aspirations for a greater and prosperous Rivers State, a state that provides equal opportunities for all, a strong, compassionate and progressive state that protects and enables everyone to live in security, comfort, and prosperity. We will provide that strong, determined, focused, purposeful and responsible leadership. Though enormous, we assure you we are equal to the tasks and responsibilities ahead”, he added.
Siminalayi hit the ground running. Within his first 100 days in office, he delivered more than 21 infrastructure projects across the state. He flagged off the multibillion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, running across six local government areas, with one major bridge, six flyovers, and about 12 roundabouts. He has also flagged off the construction of 20,000 low-income housing scheme at Mbodo-Aluu, being funded and handled by TAF Africa Global. The government also signed contract for a new central spare parts market with GOSH Project Limited. Many infrastructure projects are ongoing.
The government also is working to revive the Rivers Songhai Farm and others in Andoni, Buguma, Etche, Gokana, Khana, among others. Projects in education, health have either been completed or ongoing. The civil service has been reengineered, with the State Secretariat bouncing back to life, and the hopes of civil servants of better days ahead being restored. The government has already set aside N4billion for micro-business activities with SMEs, and other empowerment programmes in the offing. The State Executive Council approved the over N800billion 2024 Appropriation Bill, “Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity”, on December 11. The 5th State Executive Council meeting also deliberated on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which is usually a precursor to discussing the budget, with N412billion projected for capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure has N361billion and N21billion as reserve. On December 13, the government complied with a court order, and demolished a section of the Assembly impacted by the explosion and fire that engulfed the facility on October 29, 2023.
But Siminalayi’s pace of delivery of the dividends of good governance and democracy has been hampered by the political crisis that had engulfed the state since October, 2023. This is just one of the many battles he has fought since winning the election and becoming governor. The first was the contest over his victory on March 18, 2023. Many political parties and their candidates, including All Progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), Accord Party, African People’s Movement (APM), and a host of others, stormed the election petitions tribunal to contest Siminalayi’s victory at the poll. But one by one, all the cases were dismissed. Their appeals at the appellate court were also dismissed on Tuesday, November 28.
Even after they lost, Tonye Cole, Labour Party’s Beatrice Itubo, Accord Party’s Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, and APM appealed again at the Supreme Court. However, Itubo, and Lulu-Briggs joined Magnus Abe’s earlier move, to withdraw their cases for the peace and good governance of the state. Just last Thursday, January 25, the Supreme Court dismissed Cole’s appeal, and declared Siminalayi duly elected Governor of the state.
But the most potent battle of all is the internal crisis in the PDP, triggered by the failed impeachment attempt by some 25 members of the state House of Assembly on October 30, 2023. The battle, spearheaded by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Maol, and others, over inexplicable causes/reasons, remains the last fight God has already taken over, and will win for the Governor, just as He did in other cases against Siminalayi. Even in the midst of the internal political wrangling in the PDP, and the purported defection of 25 members to the APC, the Governor still enjoys the total trust, confidence and loyalty of majority of Rivers people. On December 18, President Bola Tinubu brokered an 8-point peace agreement, designed to set the pace for the settlement of the political crisis in the state. A very peace-loving Siminalayi has since commenced the implementation of the resolutions in the Presidential Directives. As at the last count, just about one of the items in the agreement has not been implemented.
Indeed, the Governor has since moved on. In his Christmas Message to Rivers people, he pledged to fully implement the comprehensive presidential peace agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis in the state. He said, “As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein, and have come to the conclusion that the peace pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the presidential peace proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear state without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values. Already, both parties have demonstrated some good faith in the implementation process with the withdrawal of the purported impeachment notice on their part, and the release of hitherto withheld allowances of the members of the state House of Assembly by the government,” he stated.
“By the grace of God, 2024 will witness a speedy transformation of our State with the completion of most of our projects and programmes, such as sections of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, the Andoni section of the Unity Road, the Ahoada-Omoku Road, the Emohua-Degema Road, etc, and the commencement of many other laudable projects, both in infrastructure and human capital development, as outlined in our 2024 budget,” Fubara declared.
On New Year’s Eve, Siminalayi stated that he was not pretentious about his commitment to providing quality leadership to transform the state to a prosperous, peaceful and investment-friendly environment for businesses to thrive. He explained that even though those fighting his administration want to dampen the spirit of Rivers people and forcefully truncate the pace of development in the state, they have failed at every attempt to distract the government. He, therefore, encouraged Rivers people not to be disheartened over the ongoing crisis because nothing would stop him from steering the affairs of the state successfully, adding: “What they want is this red biro but it is still with me. We are the winners because we are still signing with the red biro. As long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State.”
Siminalayi emphasised that nothing will stop his administration from getting to its destination because its foundation was laid solidly in God who alone would give the grace to complete the process of building, stressing that there is already a designed development agenda and level of progress determined for Rivers State in 2024.
Just last Thursday, while reacting the Supreme Court judgement, Siminalayi, once again, declared his resolve to remain committed to the purpose for which he was elected, and assured that he would not allow anything to distract governance. According to the statement, the governor said his triumph at the Supreme Court has laid to rest the legal battles that added to the distractions his administration grappled with in the last eight months.
“About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire state. It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there. And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing strength that will encourage us to continue the good works in governance.”
The governor called on everyone to join hands with his administration to build a competitive state that would be reckoned with as truly prosperous in all ramifications. ”We have a dream of making it a highly competitive state that will measure, if not up to Lagos, but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace. So, I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream. ”We will continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance to everyone living and doing business in Rivers State.”
Again on Friday, January 26, Siminalayi told Rivers people to expect accelerated growth and development of the state with the legal battles challenging his elections now over. He noted that the litigation experience was a tortuous journey that had now validated the choice and eventually confirmed the mandate freely given to him by the electorate. ”It is with a great joy and total deference to the Almighty God that I address you after a tortuous legal journey following the governorship election in our state. It is with great nostalgia I reflect on your trust and the absolute confidence you bestowed on us on that fateful March 18, 2023 when you gave us your mandate. Even with that overwhelming support, we had to go through litigation to validate your choice and confirmation of your mandate to us. We are deeply elated by the verdict of the Supreme Court of our dear nation, which has finally affirmed our victory. I owe this victory, not to my efforts or our ingenuity but to God and to you the good people of Rivers State.”
The governor said the Supreme Court ruling was an immeasurable energizer to accelerate governance with utmost sense of commitment for the benefit of all Rivers people irrespective of political persuasion or ethnic affiliation. ”In this regard, what is important to us is the accelerated growth and development of our dear state. Now that the litigations are over, we call on the opposition political parties in the state to join hands with our government to build the Rivers State of our dreams. I extend the olive branch to my contenders and all others who went through the hog and or who withdrew their cases for the love of the state. I believe we are all Rivers people and by virtue of that brotherhood, let us therefore, put aside our differences and bond together to build one indivisible and greater Rivers State that posterity will remember us for.”
As the governor of the state, Siminalayi vowed to achieve a greater Rivers State continuing on the path taken in the last seven months of his administration. ”My administration has recorded remarkable achievements in the areas of human capital development, social investment engineering, infrastructural development, micro and macro-economic advancement and sustainable socio-economic development across sectors. In addition, we have made some substantial progress in infrastructure, housing, security, urban renewal development as well as rural healthcare. We intend to sustain the tempo and expand the development net in the great ride to prosperity in our state”.
Perhaps, there is no better way to celebrate the Governor’s Birthday than to say that despite the many battles, booby-traps, landmines, and obstacles placed on his way, Siminalayi has always overcome, and will continue to confound and put his detractors and enemies to shame, even as he cruises through successive victories and milestones as Governor of Rivers State. He knows that millions of Rivers people and others resident and doing business in the state trust his ability and capacity to govern the state, protecting and defending them at all times, and providing them with the enabling environment to excel and prosper in all their genuine and legitimate dealings.
Happy Birthday Governor Siminalayi Joseph Fubara!

Nelson Chukwudi

Special Edition

Sports: Building On Wike’s Footprints

Published

11 months ago

May 29, 2023

The Tide

Eight years ago, at the inception of the administration of the just concluded government of Chief Nyesom Wike, the signs were clear that sports was going to be one of the cardinal focus of his tenure. From his inauguration activities to the main business of governance,both in the first and second tenure, sporting programmes were given ample representation.
Thus, the place of sports was clearly visible in the NEW vision of the administration, as it tried to reinvent, restructure,rebrand and thrust the state to the fore and as destination of choice in business, economy, recreation and tourism.
According to one of the Commissioners of Sports, that helped implement Wike’s vision in the sector, Hon. Boma Iyaye, the government of Wike saw and tried to use sports as a veritable tool of engagement and empowerment for the teeming youth of the state and beyond, to have the opportunity and platform for livelihood and better life.
That is why the government spared no expenses in providing world class sports infrastructure, promoting and sponsorship of sports competitions and rewarding hardwork and achievement.
It is on record that one of the first critical steps the government took to announce its intention in the sector was the collapsing of the two state owned football clubs, Sharks and Dolphins into one, Rivers United FC for viability and better performance. Since then, Rivers United have gone from strength to strength, winning domestic title and effectively flying the country’s flag in continental club competitions.
In doing these, the club enjoyed tremendous financial and moral support from the ebullient governor of the state. Today, Rivers United remains one the top clubs in Nigeria, known for consistency and results.
In addition to the exploits of Rivers United, it is to the credit of government that the state became one of the few in Africa to host the entire continent in wrestling and badminton competitions. For about one week, African wrestlers gathered at the refurbished Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex for the Africa Wrestling Championship, AWC during Wike’s first tenure. The venue was to later play host to the creme de la creme of Nigerian badminton players for the National Badminton Championship.
There was also synergy with sports stakeholders, especially, sports journalists, as the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN found a willing partner in the state government, holding most of its activities in the state, via government’s sponsorship of its events. Worthy of mention was the association’s Full Council Meeting of 2015, adjudged to be the best organized in quality and content in the history of the association.
All these commitment and demonstrable interest in sports development earned the Rivers State governor the award of Power of Sports, POS, Africa, the first of its kind in the continent.
Perhaps, the flagship of the administration’s sports project bequeathed to the state and posterity is the Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt, established by the government in consultation with the Real Madrid Football Club, Spain. The academy, conceived and built by Wike did not only try to replicate the structure of its mother institution in Spain, there was deliberate effort to equip the institution with likewise world class facilities that are as good as any in the world. Even would-be handlers, coaches and instructors at the facility were taken to Spain for first-hand training and experience from the mother institution.
Describing the facility, the then Special Adviser, SA to the Governor on Real Madrid Academy, Barr. Christopher Green said that the academy is a world class facility that would produce world class athletes for the state and country. It also demonstrates Governor Wike’s vision to providing a platform that would give Rivers youth and indeed Nigerians at the grassroots the opportunity to explore their talents and be the best they can be.
According to Barr. Green, the academy is uniquely set up to provide sports and academic tutorials side by side, so that those who could not make it through sports could toe the academic path and vice versa.
To former Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Iyaye, the academy remains an indelible footprint and an endowment by Wike to the people of the state, which benefit may not be appreciated fully at the moment but in the near future.
Assessing the strides of the immediate past administration in sports, the President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Sir Honour Sirawoo noted the governor’s deliberate focus in using sports to redirect the energy of the youth to worthwhile venture. He believes that the administration worked consciously to revive the sector, make it attractive and rewarding to the young people, who ordinarily would have been engaged in societal vices.
“I think that Governor Wike really understood the importance of sports, its power and role in changing the society. Indeed, he understood that sports has gone beyond a recreational thing to becoming a huge economic, political and social tool. He worked hard to employ it to maximum effect,” he stated.
Speaking with Tidesports in an interview, the Head coach of De Kings International FA of Port Harcourt, Okpaleke King commended Bar Nyesom Wike for his developmental strides in the sporting industry in Rivers State.
According to him, since his assumption of office, he has sponsored numerous sporting activities in the state which earned him world-wide recognition.
” For me, Governor Nyesom Wike tried his best in the development of sports in the state but the incoming governor needs to do more because government is a continuous process.
” Look at the Rivers State Real Madrid football academy.
” Look at the level of Rivers United FC today winning the league and even play up to the quarter final of the CAF Confederation Cup.
” For me I commend his efforts and contribution to the sporting industry for the past eight years” King said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Chairman of Khana Local Government Council, Hon Nekabari Biagbara said that the imparted positively on the sports landscape of the state
” For me today, the governor has done a lot in sports development which led to the success story of Rivers United FC and the Rivers Angles” Biagbara said.
He stated that through the administration of Governor Wike may have ended, the legacies left behind will continue to endure for the growth of sports in the state.
” Governor Nyesom Wike has done a lot for the development of sports in the state for the youth to realisetheir potential”.
He described Governor Wike as the best when it comes to contribution to sports and development in the country” he said.
The Head coach of New Gunner FC of Gokana, Legbara Gentle urged the incoming governor of Rivers State His Excellency, Siminialayi Fubara to consolidate on the exploits of his predecessor as a way of engaging the youth in the state.
Unfortunately, however, some of the lofty sports establishments put up by the Wike administration did not fully kick off or become fully functional due to one exigency or another.
The magnificent Real Madrid Football Academy readily comes to mind. The academy, due to some additional developments did not effectively take off before the end of the founding administration.
This is where the incoming administration, according to commentators, should come in and ensure that the vision and dream behind the projects did not suffer still-birth.
Apart from the football academy, the new administration should keep the light shining as far as Rivers United FC, Rivers Angels, Royal Hoopers Basketball club and the Sports Council are concerned. Importantly, it is expected that grassroots sports development, particularly, schools sports and association sports would receive priority attention. These would ensure that the base needed for sustainable talent production, discovery and weaning are kept alive and productive.
It is also important that sporting facilities, such as the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex, Yakubu Gowon Stadium, and the myriad of Sports Courts and fields constructed by previous administrations are well maintained and put to use. Facilities at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, especially, the swimming pool, needs to be reactivated for swimmers and other athletes to have easy access to modern facilities, towards relaunching the state to the pinnacle of sports where the state should naturally possess comparative advantage.The era of allowing sports centres and infrastructure to rot away must be frowned at and discouraged.
For renowned sports administrator, Pastor Walter Inegbenoise, Wike’s administration did well in the sports sector but the incoming administration needs to take a notch more. He believes that sports is a sector with limitless opportunity that can be tapped multi dimensionally.
Pastor Inegbenoise posited that the old days when grassroots sports events and competitions were at the doorstep of average Port Harcourt youngster should be recreated.
It is therefore critical that the private sector should be motivated through tax holidays, exemptions or other special considerations in order for them to play the required roles in sports promotion and development.
For SWAN, Rivers State Chapter, the state boasts the potential to be a leading player in the country’s sports sector. And coming from where the past administration has placed it, what is needed to keep the flag flying is ample commitment, dedication and choosing the right lieutenants to pursue and implement his vision and policies, while sustaining the good will and relationship’s already established and beyond the country.