The romance between the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara and his political-structure- loving- godfather, Nyesom Wike, may just be a cat and mouse game: the more you look the less you see, afterall.
Whereas Fubara has publicly agreed to accept the spirit and letters of what a former minister, E.K.Clarke calls death warrant peace deal, a cursory look at the spirit and letters of the governor’s Christmas Day message to the people of Rivers State reveals that the governor would not accept the treaty hook, line and sinker.
The Christmas message, though crafted in diplomatic and courteous words, also demonstrates the governor’s love and respect for the sensibilities of the masses as well as the elders who have been genuinely supporting him.
The message also underscores the governor’s love for the laws of the land and utmost regard for the mandate he got from Rivers people, even though Wike has told the world that he was the one who procured his nomination form as well as those of all others who contested the 2023 elections. Till date, Wike has not, however, told the world the source of funding for the forms.
In the Christmas message, Fubara had said lauded the president’s intervention and his peace pact. He had said that “by this singular effort, our dear president has demonstrated that he loves Rivers State and cherishes nothing short of a reign of perfect peace in our State with his Presidential Peace Proclamation on the 18th of December 2023.
“Mr. President’s peace proclamation has naturally elicited mixed reactions from our people and across the country. While most stakeholders have violently condemned it, a few others have applauded it.
“As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the Peace Pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly, not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear State.”
Then he dropped the condition for accepting the peace proclamation: Hear him: “Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the Presidential Peace Proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear State without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values.
To expatiate on what he meant by the above declaration, the governor added: “I have said before, there is no price too much to pay for peace. And with the realization that the worst peace is better than the best war, we will strive to make peace with all segments and interest groups without surrendering our freedom nor jeopardizing the interest and well-being of the good people of Rivers state who graciously entrusted us with their cherished mandate.
“I assure you that we will in the face of every challenge always consult widely and confidently tow such part that will best advance and protect the collective interest of our state and people, which is what we have resolved to do in the present circumstances.”
Not a few Nigerians, including very senior lawyers have spoken on the need for the parties to defend and protect the 1999 constitution, as amended, as the fire rages, and in the process of obeying the Tinubu peace deal.
Those holding this position have maintained that it would be immoral for the governor to surrender his right to hire and fire his commissioners, just as he cannot jettison the 2024 budget which he has already signed into law, under the guise of trying to obey the Aso Rock agreement.
There are others who have also insisted that in the eyes of the law, the Rivers State house of assembly is currently headed by Edison Ehie who had also legally declared vacant the seat of 25 former members of the legislature, following their defection to the APC.
Scores of Rivers people who went into the streets last week to declare solidarity with Fubara appear to be standing on this same ground-that Fubara as their governor cannot surrender their mandate to anyone or jeopardize their interest and well-being.
