By Tonye Barcanista
In politics, truce between feuding parties don’t achieve ‘lasting’ peaceful resolution. Within the context of Rivers recent political development, we know that the latest apostles of ‘peace’ are trickishly buying time to strike Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers state. To achieve their aim, they will either use a ‘renewed’ impeachment plot or through the ‘Ambode’ medicine – Lagosians can explain better.
Followers of Edo politics can attest to how Comrade Adams Oshiomole pretended with Governor Godwin Obaseki until the year 2020 when he (Oshiomole) used his office as APC National Chairman to disqualify the Governor from seeking reelection under the Party’s platform. Fortunately for Governor Obaseki, the PDP offered him a platform for redemption and to actualise his reelection.
In Zamfara State, after Bello Matawale switched from APC to PDP in June 2021, he faced serious resistance with the Abdulaziz Yari political bloc. In 2022, they ‘reconciled’! Matawalle was to seek reelection as Governor in 2023, while Yari was to recontest for Zamfara West Senatorial district. Yari was equally entrusted to lead Matawale gubernatorial reelection. After Yari won his Senatorial election, he struck Matawale by ensuring that he lost to Dauda Lawal Dare of PDP. Dauda Lawal is a loyalist of Abdulaziz Yari. Still in Zamfara state, Yari ensured that Senator Kabir Marafa who was responsible for APC disqualification in 2019 was defeated by Senator Ikra Bilbis of the PDP. Senator Bilbis is a loyalist of Senator Yari. This is after APC leaders brokered ‘truce’ between Yari and Marafa.
The 2020 peace agreement between Senators Hope Uzodinma, Rochas Okorocha and Ifeanyi Ararume did not work out. They all end up fighting each other. The list is endless! Rivers people understand that the ‘peace’ directives of President Tinubu is to buy time for his allies to strike Governor Siminalayi Fubara at another time.
While we agree with our Governor for its full implementation, we hold that ALL legal impediments must first be taken out before implementation. This should happen by December 31, 2031.
Tonye Barcanista is the Publicity Secretary/Director of Media and Publicity for Rivers Bridge Initiative
