Opunabo Inko-Tariah is a civil rights advocate based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and a former special adviser on Information to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while he was governor of Rivers State. In this interview with SAMUEL ESE in Port Harcourt, Inko-Tariah, who has deep knowledge of the politics of the state, discusses issues concerning the forthcoming general election in Rivers State, including the underlying issues surrounding the rumoured second term ambition of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state and fears of violence. Excerpts:
The president has said that the governors are the leaders of the APC in their states and any lawmaker who wants to return should go to them. It is reported that Wike has picked George Kelly as next governor of Rivers State. What does this mean for Governor Siminalayi Fubara?
I will say what the president did or the directive, the instruction is what ought to be. Before 1999, that was 1979 to 1983, the party chairmen were the ones in charge of their parties. But, from 1999, I think that was when we returned back to democracy; now the governors and the president are leaders of the parties. And so, if the president should say for anybody who wants to contest in the party should go to the governor, I think it’s in order, it’s well in order, and that was what we expected all this while, to be honest with you.
On the issue of Nyesom Wike fielding somebody, we all know there’s no love lost, and Wike swore to ensure the governor is not returned come 2027. And so, he’s going to resort to all kinds of expedience to ensure that any ambition of return by the governor will be truncated.
So, it’s expected, but I can tell you for sure that even if Wike contests against the governor, in a free, fair election, the governor will win Wike. Forget about the media blitz, the media hype, and all those things. He is not liked in Rivers State because he ruled as a dictator.
And even in FCT, there are complaints. Yes, they say he’s doing a good job, no problem. But he rules as a dictator. And when people always say, Wike is doing a good job, well, I say it is what I refer to as ego altruism. What do I mean by that? You’re facing construction because you’re going to make money from it. What about human capital development? For eight years in Rivers State, no promotion, no salary increment, civil servants did not have some kind of perks of office like Christmas bonus and all those stuffs, but everyday you’re building bridges, building bridges, building bridges. It’s simple, because you’re making money from it.
So, people should now begin to understand this thing, that his building bridges is not necessarily because he wants to develop the place, he’s doing that because that is the easiest, smartest, quickest way of fleecing our treasury dry.
But back to the issue of the election. Elders or friends of the governor have picked a form for him. Do you think the governor has the intention of contesting, because up till now, the body language does not show that he has interest?
The governor is definitely contesting. He is. He has not said he’s not contesting. He did not reject the forms. He would have come out openly to say, I reject the form, I’m not contesting. But he has not done so, and what does silence mean? Consent. So, it’s obvious that he’s contesting. But you see, the governor is not somebody that is garrulous. He keeps a lot to his chest. He believes in action than words. And I believe that at the appropriate time he is going to address a press conference because the primaries or whatever are just by the corner. So, very soon he’s going to address the press, but I have a certain conviction even though I haven’t talked with him on that matter, I have a certain conviction that he’s contesting because he was not angry that the expression of interest forms were bought for him. Also, he did not reject the forms; so, what does that mean?
Considering the political environment in Rivers State, do you see a peaceful election?
I want to believe, if I have to be honest with you, I want to believe that the Wike-faction will resort to anything to ensure it frustrates the return of the governor. If, like I said earlier, in a free and fair election, the governor will win any candidate that is fielded. Any candidate. Even if Wike himself comes out to contest today against the governor, he’s going to lose.
He has the organic support. I must be honest with you. In fact, many people are angry with him that he doesn’t even spend money. Thank God you’re in Rivers State. You can go round and ask questions. They’ll tell you the governor is stingy. So, the support he has is organic.
And, it is as a result of the leadership, the kind of leadership we had in Wike. Rivers’ people were fixated. It was like a military rule. Even when he was a governor, if you remember the executive orders just to frustrate opponents.
So, it was a breath of fresh air. Many people were against the governor initially when he came because they saw him as Wike’s stooge that would continue with Wike’s style of leadership. But, when they saw the change, that he was quite different, not that he did anything specifically, particularly for certain persons, and they are blowing his trumpet.
Lastly, if push comes to shove, will the organic support still be there?
It will be there. You know, organic support is not something you buy. It is natural. You don’t buy it. So, it will be there. Now, the issue of the crisis you talked about might be orchestrated by the Wike faction when he realises that the governor is coasting to victory. It might be orchestrated by the Wike faction to see if they’re going to declare another state of emergency or something, all in a bid to ensure the governor is not re-elected. But all will come to nought. It will be a fruitless exercise. And, I’m very happy that the president now understands the politics of Rivers State and appreciates it.
The fact that they (lawmakers) were asked to go back to the governors of their various states came as a rude shock to the likes of Wike who saw themselves as leaders of APC and PDP, and so will decide what happens in the party.
So, I can tell you that the elections will be peaceful, but when they realise that the governor is coasting to victory, they might want to orchestrate crisis.
