The anchor of Arise Television’s Morning Show, Rufai Oseni, has said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has become the dominant force in Rivers State politics.
The comment comes on the heels of Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrawing his participation from the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial primary.
Speaking during the TV’s programme on Thursday, Oseni described the political situation in the state as a “shame on democracy,” alleging that one person now influences two political parties.
He said the development had revealed the reasons behind Wike’s choice of Fubara as governor in 2023.
Oseni further challenged Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying it did not give the political consolidation he may have been expecting.
The broadcaster said Wike now seems able to hold political structures across party lines, saying that the former Rivers governor has emerged as the kingmaker in deciding who becomes the next governor of the state.
But Oseni wondered whether such political dominance could be sustained, saying too much power for one person could put democratic development at risk.
Oseni said: “What do I say as regards Rivers? That’s a shame on our democracy. Rivers is now two-factor-authentication.
“A man has the collabo right, two political parties joined together, and the man feels like he’s God today.
“Anyway, for Fubara, you have now seen the reason why he chose Fubara.
“If you expect me to come and explain it to you, I will not do that because the Yorubas have been saying that it is with parables that they beat their ‘gidigbo’ drum. It is the sensible ones that will understand it, and it has shown what Fubara is all about.
“You quickly went to join the APC, you couldn’t get consolidation there. So look at you now. Now they have brought Chinda but let us also see. Another battle royal between Wike and Chinda?
“Will Wike be able to hold Chinda’s hands and keep it well? Because what we are seeing more and more is that Wike has taken over Rivers politics, whether you like it or not.
“He is becoming the de facto god of Rivers politics, or if not the…I don’t have to use the word de facto, he has become the god, if he can control two political parties and everybody is moving with him.
“Maybe. Whatever happens, Wike will be the one who will produce the next governor. But how long will this hegemonic position be sustainable? That’s going to be the real test of our democracy.” We can keep fooling ourselves and think it’s a good thing, but it’s not a good thing for our democracy that one man takes it all, because we have seen what happened in Lagos.
“This could lead to Lagos becoming like Rivers if we allow this to continue, and that’s why we must tell ourselves the hard truth at every point in time.”
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