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Boiling Rivers: Remember history, avoid 1966, Bode George tells Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu, must avoid the pitfalls that to the bloody coup that truncated the first republic by immediately halting the current conflagration going on in Rivers State, following last Saturday’s elections that produced new executive leaderships for the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.
The admonition came from Olabode George, a retired soldier and former Military Governor of Ondo State, as he weighed into the crisis, following reports of massive violence in the oil-rich state, including the burning down of some local government headquarters by hoodlums.
George, Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), palpably disturbed by the development, particularly urged the President to call Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), fingered as key figure in the crisis to order before he plunged the state into further cataclysm, which could eventually affect the nation’s democracy negatively.
The retired naval officer, told the President: “Now that people of Rivers State have boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by coming out to vote in the local government election on Saturday, this is the time for the former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
“This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work. I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser.”
He added: “All lovers of democracy will agree with me that political happenings in this oil-bearing state in the last few months, if allowed to continue, can lead to a re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region between 1962 and 1966, which eventually led to the first military coup of January 15, 1966. Many of our national figures were killed, and events of that day led to a second coup on July 29, 1966, when scores of military officers were killed.
“Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the Civil War between July 6, 1967, and January 15, 1970. Close to two million Nigerians died in the war.
“I’m raising the alarm about what is currently happening in Rivers due to its seriousness. This is a man-made crisis, designed to create a conflagration that may eventually consume the country due to the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation and being the gateway to the Niger Delta.
“It is good to have political ambition, to be the alpha and omega in a partisan setting, but such ambition must not be at variance with the expectations of the people. Any threat to peace in Rivers State will eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West Africa and Africa.
“Some have said what is happening can be traced to the 2027 elections’ calculations. I believe it is too early to start strategising for a partisan event, which is still close to 28 months away.
“One thing is clear: Nyesom Wike was governor of the state for eight years. He left the Government House in May last year, and today he is the FCT Minister. Sir Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi were governors before him. Now that Governor Fubara is the Chief Executive of the state, he should be allowed to work. Nobody stays in office forever.
“By 2027, the people of Rivers State will decide, through their votes, if they want him to return to office or not. This is how political issues and ambitions are handled in civilised climes. The way this partisan crisis is going, if not checked, may collapse our democracy. Now that council chairmen and councillors have been elected, I appeal to Nyesom Wike to please give peace a chance.
“Tinubu must also call Wike and tell him to allow the governor to work. It is that Wike sponsored and supported Fubara to become governor, but somebody also supported Wike to be governor from 2015 to 2023, while somebody also nominated him to serve as minister. God will always use somebody to help anybody, but nobody is God.
“I recall years ago, I had to travel all over the country to canvass for votes when I wanted to be the PDP National Chairman, only to discover that there was a gang-up against me a few days before the party’s convention, leading to my withdrawal from the race. Wike, Uche Secondus, who eventually became the party chairman, some senators, and others came to my Abuja house to beg me. What I did was to ask Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, who was in my house that day, to pray for them. Since then, I have not left the party. That is the way I play my politics because nobody is God.
“It is because of this crisis in Rivers that the PDP lost out in the October 5 council elections because we didn’t field candidates. Elders in our party should also advise Wike on the way forward. Look at what happened during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. The exercise was brazenly manipulated, and this is because some of our members allowed it to happen. Inordinate ambition is affecting some of our people.
“I am appealing to Wike to please let this crisis be a thing of the past. The democracy we enjoy today, many people suffered to bring it to fruition. Some even died. We should not be seen dancing on their graves because of partisan interests. Only God knows what will happen in 2027 because He is greater, wiser, and more powerful than all of us.”
Calling on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to call some judicial officers to order, expressing disgust concerning conflicting court rulings on the recently held council election in Rivers State, he wondered how courts of the same jurisdiction, having the same powers, could be giving conflicting orders on a similar suit, adding judiciary must remain above board as the last hope of the common man.
“This is also the time for the new Chief Justice of Nigeria to call some judicial officers to order. A High Court in Rivers gave an order that the council election must hold. A Federal High Court in faraway Abuja gave another order that security agents must not provide security during the election. How can courts of the same jurisdiction, having the same powers, be giving conflicting orders on a similar suit?
“Judges should not allow politicians to influence them to be giving conflicting judgements. As the last hope of the common man, the judiciary should be above board. Once again, I am appealing to Wike to look at the larger interests in this crisis. He should not allow himself to be used and dumped by the APC.
“This is also the time for Tinubu to see himself as the father of all. My prayer for Governor Fubara is for God to continue to direct and protect him in this political journey. Your calmness of purpose and humility will continue to endear you to the people. The political storm in Rivers must disappear immediately, in the interest of all Nigerians.”
Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 presidential election, on Tuesday, scoffed at the 45 million vote figure he supposedly scored during the primaries of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), dismissing it as fake.
Obi, sole candidate of the party for the presidential primaries in the 2027 election, attributed the development to the handiwork of forces pushing for the validation of fraud, an obvious shade at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which on Monday announced President Bola Tinubu as its candidate, with a whopping 11 million votes.
A groundswell of Nigerians had expressed amazement the huge figure, dismissing it as not only outrageously improbable but outrightly false and a gambit to skew the narrative early enough for a more sinister political gameplan ahead of the presidential election.
Obi, whose reaction came through his media office, while toeing the same line on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to disregard the figures being attributed to him, saying the NDC was yet to hold its primaries to determine his votes.
The statement, read: “The attention of the Peter Obi Media Office has been drawn to certain 45m primary vote figures currently circulating on social media and various news platforms, purporting to be the breakdown of official results from an imaginary primary by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC ascribed to Mr Peter Obi.
“We wish to state categorically that these figures are entirely false, fabricated, as such, the primary never took place and no figure was generated from any process. We urge the general public, party supporters, and members of the press and the public to completely disregard these misleading statistics.
“Official and accurate information regarding Mr Peter Obi’s engagements and political processes will always be communicated through our verified and authorised channels and appropriately signed. Those behind this fraudulent figure attribution to Peter Obi are looking for partners in their fraud but they should look elsewhere not with Peter Obi.”
For President Bola Tinubu, it was another occasion of chest-beating, as he claimed to have ended Nigeria’s painful journey through the dark tunnel of economic trials, promising that in no long time, citizens would begin to experience the benefits of their long suffering in the last three years.
The President, who for the umpteenth time implored Nigerians not to despair, conveyed his message of hope and inspiration came by way of his 2026 Eid-El-Kabir salute to the Muslim faithful whom he referred as “our brothers and sisters across Nigeria and worldwide.”
Hear him: “As a nation, we are on a journey of reconstruction and renewal. The reforms we have undertaken are challenging but necessary to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria for future generations.
“Just as sacrifice brings reward, I am happy that the sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth. The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here.
“I am confident that, by the Grace of God, the reforms we have diligently pursued will continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities for all.
“I am aware that, despite the best efforts of our security and intelligence agencies—including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader—heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities. I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil.
“One central lesson of Eid-el-Kabir is the call to show mercy and compassion, regardless of race, ethnicity, or creed. There is no greater example of duty and devotion than Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to offer his only son, Ismail, as a sacrifice to Allah.
“Let us also reach out to the less privileged, share with our neighbours, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us as one people. My administration remains committed to building a Nigeria where all citizens can live in peace, worship freely, and pursue their dreams without fear.”
Urging the faithful to use this sacred occasion to pray for Nigeria for peace in our communities, and for wisdom for those in leadership, he added: “Let us pray that those who commit crimes among us may rethink and abandon their evil ways or face the full weight of the law.
“On behalf of the government, I wish you all a peaceful, joyous, and blessed Eid al-Kabir. May Allah accept our sacrifices and prayers, and may He continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Option A4, occupies a central place in Nigeria’s democratic development. That unique election model developed and introduced in the Nigerian electoral process by Humphrey Nwosu, the late Professor of Political Science, has become a symbol mounted on a standard and raised high above the sky.
It is Nigeria’s mimic of that biblical golden serpent to which both the nation and its citizens look up at and derive instant succour – much like a balm to their heavily-lacerated democratic soul – a wonder device, that once mesmerised the world.
Yes! Anytime Nigerians want to serenade their democratic spirit with the allure of sweetness, they take a recourse to that unique event that happened more than three decades ago, on June 12, 1993. They reminisce on the purity of the process and beauty of the outcome.
Like the saying that precious things come in simple packages, Option A4, was not only as simple as simplicity itself, but was as powerful as the most impactive dynamite – simple enough to break all barriers of ignorance and powerful enough to destroy all electoral bad behaviours defacing the beautiful perspective of democracy.
Here is the process. Voters converge on a location at approved time, get accredited, queue behind preferred candidates, get counted and the votes recorded in approved result sheets. Finish! No ballot-snatching, no ballot-stuffing, no quarrel, no thuggery, no blood on the floor.
Even the issue of proper voting that lead to void votes is eradicated by the process. The electorates need no education on how to vote properly. The issue of thumb-printing in the wrong space or double-voting is taken care of.
Today, in Nigeria, June 12 is designated as Democracy Day, based on the outcome of that election. It was so seamless and produced such a perfect result that the product – Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was never challenged on the inviolability, but on the other ideas the military government in power then had.
But did you see the same Option A4 put to test under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Did you watch the primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC), at various stages, including the one that produced the President as candidate of the party in the 2027 presidential election? If you did, you would understand where your country is currently and where it is headed.
How could anyone have the mindset to deface such a beauty, let alone design a mechanism to destroy it, given its centrality as the bastion of Nigerian democratic commemorations? How could anyone be so wicked as to destroy the most beautiful Nigerian democratic ornament?
It is like pulling the original of Monalisa or the best of Bini Bronze from their protective encasements and smashing them on the floor. It takes a mindset that has scant regard for beauty – a destructive spirit to do so.
But see how easily they did it! See how simple it was for them. It was as easy as jumping from 10 to 1,000 in a simple counting process a primary school child could do.
Did you see the smiles on their faces to indicate how much fun they had supervising the putrid, outlandish and parlous construct – like the lurid expression of a rapist seeking to satiate his lust? Clearly, it did not matter to them the danger they’re putting themselves and future generations – comprising their children and grandchildren, Tragedy!
But what is it that Tinubu and his co-travellers have not destroyed since happening on Nigeria? What pain have they not wrought on the polity? Is it the economy? Think of those rich Nigerians alighting from their fancy cars and jumping into the Lagos Lagoon.
Is it security? Reminisce on the last moments of General Sani Uba, as he watched the approach of the terrorists while crouching on his knees in the forest, having lost the vain hope that his country would save him.
Think of the Oyo school teacher in that final moment as he waited for the impact of that sharp knife on his bare throat, while being slaughtered like a goat at the abattoir. Think of Zamfara, think of Sokoto, think of Kwara, think of Anambra – add to the list – think Nigeria.
Yet, the APC foot-soldiers – including a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives – a leader in the legislature – the most important institution of democracy – clowned, jested and had fun.
For them, the rest of the country doesn’t matter. All that matters is Tinubu’s happiness. And the master-strategist, the democratic doyen, the June 12-NADECO icon, was all and about, grinning from ear to ear and lapping everything up.
With economy destroyed from day-one with the impulsive, brainwave – subsidy is gone declaration – with security in tatters that school children, now scurry and scamper in different directions like scared rodents, at the slightest sight of strange faces for fear of being the next kidnap victims – with the national fibric almost giving way from the consistent and unrelenting pressure in running the most nepotistic administration – far worse than the days of the late Muhammadu Buhari, thought to be the worst at a time – what else remains of Nigeria?
Before now, I had grieved that Tinubu deliberately left out Humphery Nwosu in that outlandish June 12 struggle honourees list, when he ought to be the numero uno. I had hoped however that someday, someone more amenable than Tinubu would do the needful. But what hope is there now that Tinubu and his men are tightening the noose on Nigerian democracy? Now this!
The worst part is not that the APC goons committed this heinous atrocity, but in the manner they did. They enjoyed the process. Only mindless characters such as mafia kingpins we watch in movies, take pleasure in inflicting pains. That we now watch such playing out in real life is not only disturbing, it is THE TRAGEDY!
My name is Sunny Igboanugo, I’m The Tiny Voice!
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