The truth must be told: the political crisis in Rivers State (the sudden explosion between godfather and godson) is not ending soon. Instead, hardening of positions seems to go on in both camps. At the same time they try to appear innocent before the king in Aso Rock who has ordered for return to status quo (peace) with some threats of consequences for breach. Each gladiator seems to want to obey and disobey the president at the same time. Each camp wants to eat his cake and have it. But everybody seems to see through their plans.
There is overwhelming evidence that no love is lost between godson and godfather. The FCT Minister held an end of year party without anyone seeing his godson. Does anyone need torch to search out the head of a cow in the pot?
Now, on Sunday, January 28, 2024, the governor (the godson) held a 49th birthday event but the godfather was nowhere in sight.
The next bad sign is that there has been an upsurge in abductions in Abuja. Many in the camp of the godson accused the godfather of being too busy with Rivers politics. The Minister rushed back and worked. Now, he has accused ‘politicians’ of causing the rash abductions. All eyes went to his godson’s camp. Has this matter got to the point where a mother loses a child and accuses her mate? When acrimonies get to that point, its usually very difficult to resolve.
One of the godfather’s hardest fighters, the Ikwerre LGA chairman, openly said unprintable words against the governor. He came on air few days after to say his leader (FCT Minister) has ordered him to apologise. Many say the apology appeared bitterer than the insult.
Another member of the G-9 Commissioners (they say they are Integrity Commissioners) who have been readmitted said openly that they never applied to come back but returned due to pressure. The public was to understand that they were doing the governor a favour by coming back, not the other way round. The governor seemed to reply by warning the returnees not to dare sabotage his administration. Now, many ask, is the war set? The lawmakers are piling up accusations as if to prepare notice of impeachment. How will loyalty be found in the EXCO? Defiance?
The governor won at the Supreme Court, swiftly appointed his most loyal lawmaker, Edison Ehie, who recently resigned in a jiffy as Speaker from their own camp, as new Chief of Staff, a position seen as the fighting arm of the governor. The message seems clearly understood.
The governor now seems to find his voice and way. He attends any event anywhere he wants, a sign he has found freedom. He even visits ‘enemy’ territories such as Bayelsa and Benin.
Above all, plenty vile is being spewed from each camp, all to indicate war mood, while nobody is actually fighting anybody.
The battleground ahead seems to be local council elections: who handpicks the next helmsmen at that crucial level? The governors usually did, but now the Minister and the opposition party may want to pick.
The governor has not said anything in that direction but he has prepared the minds of the people when he said on Sunday that shock is the only likely outcome of the present crisis. When men in such positions give riddles, then elders see no jokes.
