The issue of godfatherism seems to have been entrenched deeply in Nigerian politics, particularly since the current republic in 1999.

Admittedly, there is no way one gets to the top without inputs or help from someone and in the Nigerian political context, it translates to godfatherism – the act of ensuring a preferred candidate is elected into a position.

For instance, in 2011 in the Abia State gubernatorial election, DAILY INDEPENDENT gathered that Orji Uzor Kalu, the then outgoing governor of the state, preferred his then Chief of Staff, Theodore Ahamefula Orji, as his successor to the extent that not even a faceoff with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership at the centre deterred the governor from ensuring the election of his Chief of Staff as his successor.

On the flip side, Kalu formed a new party, Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), and used the platform, with his then Chief of Staff as PPA’s gubernatorial candidate, to defeat Onyema Ugochukwu of the PDP for Umuahia Government House Seat.

Information had it that desirous of getting his candidate clothed with immunity as Theordore was then being haunted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial impropriety while serving as Chief of Staff, the then governor-elect was taking to an unknown destination where he was sworn in after it was reported that agents of anti-graft agencies had besieged the Abia Government House to arrest him on the eve of the inauguration.

Consequently, Orji Kalu not only controlled his successor but it was reported that the now senator had unabated access to the state’s treasury with huge inputs on how funds were shared.

The development was a huge clog in the wheel of progress of Abia State until Theordore Orji ‘rescued’ the state from godfatherism at last, a feat that was celebrated.

The feat was temporal as Theodore foisted similar influence on his own successor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, leading to his son, Chinedum Orji, emerging the speaker of the state Assembly under Ikpeazu.

Feelers had it that Chinedum was planted to check Ikpeazu and to command huge influence on the governor as he superintended a state Assembly that had so much influence over the executive governor.

Such has been the case in states where godfathers exert so much influence on not only their godsons (successors) but go deeper into attempting to control appointments, deployments and, in some extreme cases, disbursement of finances.

For instance, in Edo State before the second term of Governor Godwin Obaseki, Adams Oshiomhole attempted to control his successor and succeeded to a very large extent until Obaseki ‘freed’ Edo State.

In Benue, there was little love lost between former Governor Samuel Ortom and his then overbearing political benefactor and also then leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator George Akume.

What begun as ‘’a storm in a teacup,’’ as described by a chieftain of the APC then deteriorated into a messy affair that saw Ortom leaving the folds of the APC to the warm embrace of the opposition PDP.

In Sokoto, it was a sorry story how former Governor Aminu Tambuwal set all-out for war with his disenchanted political godfathers and succeeded to free himself from their snares.

However, what is currently playing out in Rivers State is a sad reminder of the menace of godfatherism in Nigerian political landscape.

Before the 2023 general elections, former accountant general with Rivers State Government, Siminialayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, was not the most popular among those aiming to succeed Governor Nyesom Wike at the Brick House (Rivers State Government House).

In fact feelers have it that Fubara never contemplated giving a shot at the gubernatorial contest in the state but was talked into it by former Governor Nyesom Wike.

With strong backing from the now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, the Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area-born accountant, during the primaries that threw him up, polled 721 votes to beat the other 16 governorship aspirants that contested against him.

Isaac Kamalu from Eleme who polled 86 votes to finish second while Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly and Tammy Danagogo came third and fourth with 37 votes and 36 votes respectively. Watchers at the primaries acknowledged the Wike factor in the result.

Earlier and towards ensuring the emergence of his then accountant general, Wike put all the political stakeholders interested in occupying the Brick House in suspense as he was said to be looking for a governor he would trust and at the same time give him all the necessary protection after he had exited office.

Thus, is not hidden that Fubara rode to power through the political structure of the former governor. The FCT minister led the campaign council of the PDP to all the 23 local government areas of the state, presenting Fubara as the best candidate for the job. He used the instrument of power to frighten other political parties from campaigning in the state through his executive orders.

In the election proper, Wike played dirty and ensured that the PDP won all the National and State Assembly seats from Rivers State, while he worked to ensure President Bola Tinubu ‘won’ the Treasure Base of the Nation (as Rivers State is called. He practically made Fubara the governor unhindered and given Wike’s influence, the PDP structure in Rivers is still firmly under his grip.

DAILY INDEPENDENT gathered from a source close to the Brick House that trouble started after the governor needed an input in those that are working with him.

Wike, it would be recalled, practically appointed all the commissioners and other appointees, including personal aides of the governor without Fubara’s input.

The source said Fubara stirred the hornet’s nest when he made an appointment without the knowledge of the FCT minister which infuriated the latter.

“Fubara made an appointment without Wike’s knowledge and it may even interest you to know that it was even someone working under the governor that told Wike and that got the minister angry,” said a senior journalist working with Rivers State Government Press who revealed this to our correspondent.

“All of us know that Fubara is being monitored day and night and virtually all his activities should be sanctioned from Abuja.

“Forget about the meeting with President Tinubu, nothing has changed because Fubara is sitting on a keg of gunpowder. This is because even within his inner caucus, those against him are in greater number than those for him and this other camp owes so much loyalty to Wike,” the journalist who is privy to everything in the Rivers State Government House told our correspondent on condition of anonymity.

According to our source, all Wike is looking for is unalloyed and unquestionable loyalty from Governor Fubara, given his role in Fubara’s ascendency by defeating such political heavyweights as Felix Obuah, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the present secretary to the state government who started in that position under Wike, Senator Lee Meaba (all of the PDP stock); Senator Magnus Ngie Abe, Pastor Tonye Cole, Prince Tonye Princewill, Dr Dawari George and Tiens Jackrich, who all were equally eying the Brick House.

While Wike could come for different descriptions from many people, contemporarily, the FCT minister shows loyalty to a course he believes so much in.

Recall that after his no-love-lost with the PDP and Atiku Abubakar, Wike never hid his preference for the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, Bola Tinubu, and he demonstrated unalloyed loyalty to the former Lagos State governor, leading to his dirty job at the presidential elections where Tinubu ‘won’ massively in Rivers, even when all other positions contested for like the National and State Assembly seats as well as the governorship in the state were won by the PDP.

While hosting PDP governors in his office in Abuja recently, Wike harped on the place of loyalty and proudly said he was not an Ingrate, in a statement analysts said was meant for the Rivers State chief executive, Fubara.

“I am not a political ingrate, I am not — but don’t touch the political structure of Rivers State. I will not shut my eyes,” allegedly making reference to Fubara’s attempt at breaking his tightly held structure by making appointments without his knowledge. The appointment he made was the climax of the Cold War between them.

DAILY INDEPENDENT gathered that even before the attempt to impeach the governor, there was a noticeable crack in their relationship with the duo avoiding each other at social events.

It was gathered that Governor Fubara, before the threat to oust him, was absent at the unveiling of a building donated to the Anglican Church in Eleme by Wike’s close ally, Marcus Nle Ejeh, more than a month ago.

Fubara was also absent at a recent workshop organised in Port Harcourt by an association of junior lawyers, which the minister and other prominent citizens of the state attended. He rather sent the attorney-general of the state to represent him.

So in the move suspected to have been initiated from Abuja, on October 30, an attempt by the then Martins Amaehwule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Fubara merely revealed the extent to which the faceoff between the duo had reached and showed the climax of the silent war between the governor and his godfather, political benefactor.

Our source at the government house of Rivers State said that a few aides loyal to Fubara revealed that by virtue of his position as the state accountant general under Wike, the governor is privy to some of his dealings and was ready to spill the beans as the last straw to bring down his godfather, a development the minister, according to them, is also very much in the know.

According to them, despite the failure to impeach him, it is not yet Uhuru for the governor as Wike is continually using allies he appointed to check the governor.

He said despite the purported truce, Wike is still firmly in control of the state machinery with his loyalists still holding sensitive positions at the Brick House.

“That was the reason it was possible for those who wanted to burn the Assembly to easily gain access because there was no communication gap for them to have access.

“Wike so empowered the Assembly that most of the members are ready to do his will at any time. So anything can still happen against the governor because he sits there on a structure created, supported and financed by the minister. What the governor must do now is not to try to be on his own but try and reconcile with Wike,” the source said further.

Meanwhile, a group, the Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF), has warned former Governor Wike not to use his close ties with President Tinubu to influence security operatives and cause anarchy in Rivers State.

The group, In a press statement by its director of media publicity, Mayowa Ajibade, further urged security agencies to maintain neutrality and resist undue influence.

“We commend Governor Fubara for maintaining composure and dignity despite unwarranted provocation. This reflects his commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace in Rivers State,” Ajibade said.

“The negative trend wouldn’t have been there if the individual entrusted with the responsibility of the FCT focused on his duty instead of meddling in the affairs of Rivers State,” Ajibade said.

“Our primary concern is the safety and security of all Nigerians. We call upon the former governor and current Minister of FCT to shift focus towards ensuring the safety of the FCT,” the group stated.

Another group, Rivers Liberation Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations, in a press conference in Port Harcourt recently, declared their unalloyed support for Governor Fubara, stressing that they could no longer stand and watch the intimidation against the governor from some political actors in the state.

The youths also accused the FCT minister of complicit in the burning of parts of the state Assembly.

Meanwhile, in defence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, a group, Forum of Elders and National Assembly Members from Rivers State, exonerated the minister from the raging leadership crisis in the state legislature.

The elders, during a recent press conference in Abuja, said minister had nothing to do with the disagreement within the House of Assembly.

Coordinator of the group, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, said the situation was only a disagreement between the impeached leader of the House, Edison Ehie, and other members of the legislature.

Anabraba said, “This is the press statement by the Rivers State Leaders Forum in regards to the recent incident events in our state, which culminated in the desecration and arson attack on the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly; the removal of the leader of the Assembly, Hon. Edison Ehie, his suspension of three others, the counter-action of Ehie and his group on the claimed impeachment of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the suspension of some persons loyal to the speaker with the elevation of Ehie to the position of speaker.

“We have also followed the public appearance and the speech of the governor of Rivers State at Government House and at the state House of Assembly complex and his encounter with the police.

“We are aware of the various allegations of which this unfortunate event has linked with the former governor and minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

“We have listened to the various insinuations of ethnic undertone, especially as Governor Fubara is Ijaw and is marked for impeachment to pave the way for the continuation of Ikwerre governor.

“We met with our governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the honourable minister, Nyesom Wike and wish to state as follows: ‘That Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is the undisputed leader of the political family that produced Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the three senators in the National Assembly, the 11 members of the House of Representatives, all 32 members of the state House of Assembly, the 23 local government chairmen and the entire councillors of the 23 local government councils.

“That Governor Fubara and all the above elected office holders belong to the same political family and are bound by our philosophy to transform, build develop and create the Rivers State of our dreams in line with our New Rivers Vision devoid of ethnicity, tribe, creed and gender.”

However, Governor Fubara has maintained his innocence even in the face of attack on him by the police where they shot directly at him while he visited the Assembly after the attack to assess the extent of damage

The governor described as unfortunate, the attempt by some disgruntled persons to forcefully take control of the Assembly.

He said, “The truth Is that everybody who knows me knows that I am a peaceful person. I can never be part of such destruction, even if I am aware that there is a plot to impeach me.

“I am worried that a facility like this, which we used taxpayers’ money to build, will be destroyed for selfish reasons, just to please somebody.

“From what I have seen, even security agents are compromised because they were shooting at me directly. The DC, operations, was shooting at me,” the governor alleged. (Daily Independent)

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