By Saatah Nubari
I do not envy you Nyesom Wike, I do not. You’ve been sworn in as Governor at a very expectant phase in Rivers State history; you’ve been handed the opportunity to choose what part you’ll play and to dictate to history how it should represent you when and if this phase passes. Before you decide, I’d like to give you a perspective.
Your journey to the Brick House was an emotional one, not for Rivers people alone, but for the Niger Delta as a whole. You had a whole state/region turn up for you not because they felt you were the best candidate amongst the lot, but because seeing you doggedly support one of their own to be President; it was only natural that they gave you their votes, seeing that the other option fiercely fought against their own interest, their son. You were elected governor by protest. You were elected Governor because Rivers people felt betrayed by Rotimi Amaechi on one hand and cheated by the Nigerian State on the other.
What happened on the 11th of April 2015 was not Rivers people believing in the manifesto you unveiled at Aztech, it was a people out for revenge, out for their pound of flesh. The ambience of Rivers State on the morning of 11th April 2015 was not a joyous one, it was one charged with revenge—it was charged with the grievances of whole a region just coming out of hibernation. You might not understand the goodwill, support and prayers you got from the Niger Delta and maybe the South East, but let me put it this way: If you had contested in Bayelsa State, I’m very much sure that you would’ve won by a landslide.
You won’t understand the significance of the 11th of April 2015 till you understand that the whole country was watching Rivers State—the Niger Delta and the South East were the most interested in the outcome. In summary, you had the people on 11th of April 2015 and you still do have them.
You’re aware that you’re now the Governor of an oil rich state, a state whose contribution to the economic stability of the entire country can only be understated and not overstated. You’re aware that this state is no longer in alliance with the centre and as such there’ll be obstacles on this journey of yours. In all these, you should know that the only real power and support you have is the people. You’ll have to govern with all sincerity, vision and zeal. There’ll be a battle ahead against the centre, and you will need the people you govern behind you.
In a situation where you take the people for granted and choose to go the way of your predecessor, you will have succeeded in creating a ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ situation—pushing an aggrieved populace to ally with the centre will be politically fatal.
OUR NEW FORMED ALLIANCE
An alliance with South East Nigeria was formed and it is your responsibility that that alliance is strengthened. That is the only political and economic alliance that will be beneficial to the people of the Niger Delta and their South East counterpart. You’ll have to liaise with Governors, Senators and House of Representative members from the states in these regions from time to time. You and your elected colleagues in these regions will have to speak with one voice, as the battle ahead needs unity of purpose, commitment and sincerity.
You will have to push for the devolution of powers to the states, fiscal federalism and an alteration of the constitution in general. There’s an increase in the number of aggrieved people on the streets of the Niger Delta and the South East—a people feeling cheated by the Nigerian State. You and your colleagues in the Niger Delta and the South East now have the support of these people, so you must as a matter of urgency push for and champion causes to help relieve these grievances.
Mr Governor, the road ahead is long and rough. We have great expectations—we’re watching, do not disappoint us. Good luck.
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Article written by Saatah Nubari
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