Is Wike facing the law of Karma? By Taiwo Olapade

The current face-off between the Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political godfather and predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike no doubt has brought governance to a halt in the state.

This is clearly because Governor Fubara is focusing more now on how to survive the onslaught and every strategy from Nyesom Wike to unseat him from the Government House.

At the moment, no clues about when the 2024 Budget of the oil rich state will be presented. You can only imagine the sufferings of the people of the state especially the civil servants if Governor Fubara has no Budget to work with in 2024.

Some prominent citizens of Rivers state have described the attempt to impeach Governor Fubara as that of a coup by power-drunk politicians.

They also want the National Assembly to take full control of the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Remember that the impeachment plans against the Governor has not been totally jettisoned except for the fact that it has mellow down a bit in recent days.

The sudden bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 30 was no doubt linked to the move to impeach Governor Fubara by the state lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike.

The question is, is there anyone who has been arrested or sanctioned for the odacious attack on the Rivers state House of Assembly complex?

The truth is that millions of naira of tax payer’s money in Rivers state would be spent on the repair of the damaged edifice in which the Nigerian factor of overbloating contract cannot be wished away.

The division in the 33 member state House of Assembly which led to the emergence of two factional Speakers needs more to be desired. This was after a move by the Assembly to commence an impeachment process on the Leader of the House, Hon. Edison Ehie, and the state Governor Simi Fubara.

Edison Ehie, Leader of the State House of Assembly had reportedly rejected the bid to impeach the Governor, having not committed any known impeachable offence but was removed as the majority Leader for his unalloyed loyalty.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
later held different sittings in which Edison Ehie claimed to have also emerged Speaker based on endorsement by his faction. As the dust was settling down on the emergence of factional Speaker in Rivers Assembly, Edison Ehie narrowly escaped death after gunmen launched deadly attack on his residence.

It took the strong will and gallantry of the security details attached to him to repel the attaclers described as political thugs of the powers that be.

Some of the allegations against Nyesom Wike from the camp of Governor Fubara include the demand for #2bn on a monthly basis and continued control of the political structure in the state. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has however denied allegation of monthly financial support from the Governor but insists that he will not allow anyone to take over the control of political structure from him.

Will it be right to say that Wike is facing the law of Karma having served the same meal to his political benefactor, former Governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

A short story into the political history of Nyesom Wike revealed that from 1999 to 2007, he served as Chairman, Obio Akpor Local Government Area for two-term. During this time, Amaechi served as Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike was later named as the Minister of State for Education by former President Goodluck Jonathan in July 2011 facilitated by Amaechi.

He later left the Ministry to run for the governorship seat in the state in 2015.
During the gubernatorial elections held on April 11th, Wike defeated the candidate of Amaechi, Mr Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress and Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party.

The political giants of Rivers were both in the ruling PDP in the state from 1999 till 2013 before Wike forced Amaechi to leave the party for APC.

Rotimi Amaechi you will recall in August 2013, was amongst seven serving governors who formed the G-7 faction within the PDP. In November 2013, Amaechi alongside five members of the G-7 defected to the new opposition party the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he became the Director General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign.

Attempt by Nyesom Wike to vie for the office of the President of Nigeria under the platform of the PDP was truncated by the defeat to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar during the Presidential election primary held at the MKO Abiola National stadium, Abuja on May 28 2022, with 371 votes to 237 votes to finish as first runners up.

Wike later became the beautiful bride for the ruling APC as he led other 4 Governors of the PDP, former Governors including Segun Mimiko, Ayo Fayose and other top party stalwarts to work against the Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over unresolved dispute on the then National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

The reward for a job well done for Wike by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was his appointment as the FCT Minister on August 16, 2023

Lets look at some similarities between Amaechi and Wike. They were pioneer members of the PDP. They both served as Governor of Rivers state for eight years; served as Ministers, led a rebellion group against the party and Presidential candidates. They both contested for party’s Presidential ticket and emerged runners up.

The question is, Is Wike battling with the Law of Karma?