–All the benefits from the oil exploration now go to Lagos
“Even as the sins that Tinubu and Wike have committed against Rivers State and her people are unforgivable, let us believe that September 18 will mark an end to the nonsense in Rivers State, so that the people can breathe fresh hair once again as they have suffocated for so long under the emergency rule which has brought them nothing but anguish and gnashing of the teeth.”
By Olawale Lamina
The erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party, nPDP, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has observed critically that, as September 18 draws closer, it is hoped that the dubious characters involved in the awkward situation in the state will remain committed to lifting the atrocious State of emergency which he said was declared for three major reasons:
Chief Eze who fielded questions from journalists reacted to the Sunday thanksgiving event in Port Harcourt, organized by the state Sole Administrator, Ibok Ette-Ibas started by noting that the state of emergency imposed on the state was intended to plunder and loot the treasure of Rivers State as well as to “humiliate the state and her people by taking over illegally the political structure(s) of the state.”
He also alleged in his comment that the emergency rule was foisted on Rivers State, “most importantly to ensure that Rivers State doesn’t progress ahead of Lagos State by destroying her economic base and the speed in which Governor Sim Fubara was driving the State progressively.”
The APC chieftain expressed deep concern, saying that, “It is saddening to know that Nyesom Wike, a son of Rivers State is used as a tool to accomplish these illegalities and wickedness against the State and her people. The future will determine if the people of Rivers State accept this effrontery and efforts to undermine the progress of the State by doing their best to reclaim the State from these undemocratic and unprincipled fellows.”
According to Eze, the three areas he pointed out are the major factors why the emergency rule was declared, and not for any insecurity reason as there was no security challenge facing the State at the time the State of emergency was declared.
He accused Mr. Ibas of succeeding in achieving the purpose and aim of the state of emergency which he insisted include plundering the treasure of the state; hijacking the political structure of the state by organizing illegal Local Govt Election; and, “to ensure that the Rivers State does not progress politically and economically.”
The angry chieftain said: “Imagine a situation where the multinationals that harness the oil in the Niger Delta are headquartered in Lagos. All the benefits from the oil exploration viz- tax, employment etc., go to Lagos while the Niger Deltans suffer the exploitation. So, in order to firm-up the grip of Lagos on the huge oil revenue, there has to be perpetual destabilization of the Niger Delta region, , particularly, Rivers State. This is so because, they do not want Rivers State economy to compete with Lagos.
“While he served as Governor, Amaechi gave Lagos a serious chase, and Rivers was almost at par with Lagos in all spheres. Governor Fubara’s commitment to revive investment in infrastructure and build an enabling environment for businesses threatened Tinubu and Lagos. That is why the President didn’t think twice; didn’t look at the laws of the country; didn’t consider the dangers, the criticisms that may come with the unlawful suspension of the Governor. Fubara’s performance was a threat.
“All through the six months period that the Administrator held sway, the wheel of progress was grounded. Everything came to a halt. No project was initiated. Non was completed. Non proceeded beyond the level it was when the Governor was unlawful suspended. And no one is asking questions on the whereabouts of Rivers money. The Mr. Ibas looted the state dry. That was the mandated.
“How can a man who said he was sent to make peace turn around to support a faction in the crisis? Giving them appointments here and there even when such indulgences clearly offend extant laws. Conducting local council elections without having the powers to do so. It’s unfortunate we find ourselves here, ” he stated.
But he challenged Governor Similalayi Fubara on areas to focus on , as he return to governance becomes imminent, saying: “The Governor, upon his return must prioritize the development of the state a top on his agenda which he has always pursued with zeal. And service to the people should be top on his to-do list because Rivers people still believe in the sincerity of his administration.
“Any agreement that does not serve the interest of the people which the Governor was made to sign must be subject to the mandate to provide service and be accountable to the people.”
Eze also expressed disappointment that Nigerians watched and did nothing by allowing the illegalities in Rivers State to happen successfully. Given the circumstance, Eze expressed the fear that if Nigerians continue in this line of docility, it will impact very negatively on the country and her democracy comes particularly as 2027 draws closer.
He said the deafening silence of Governor Fubara on the matter is understandable as he is helpless, particularly given the fact that it is a fight by the federal government against an individual,adding that, “the Governor, who has no control over any state apparatus, particularly the security architecture.”
Chief Eze concluded by emphasizing that, “Even as the sins that Tinubu and Wike have committed against Rivers State and her people are unforgivable, let us believe that September 18 will mark an end to the nonsense in Rivers State, so that the people can breathe fresh hair once again as they have suffocated for so long under the emergency rule which has brought them nothing but anguish and gnashing of the teeth.”
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