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By Segun Opeyemi
The relationship between the godfather and his godson is typically very close and most times can last a lifetime. However, in politics a lifetime can be some few days, weeks, months and perhaps some few years.
Nyesom Wike, the fiery and fearless former Governor of Rivers state is a perfect godfather, even to a fault! He is bold and courageous, always expressive not minding whose ox is gored. He shocked many stakeholders of Rivers politics when he favored a relatively unknown Siminalayi Fubara to be his successor as the Executive Governor of Rivers state under the flagship of the People’s Democratic Party.
As the Accountant General of Rivers State, Mr Fubara was relatively unknown in the political terrain, up until then he had no record of participation in active politics. But like many godson, he has the biggest weapon; the godfather had chosen him and that seems to be the only weapon he needed and indeed it was!
True to his usual self, Mr Nyesom Wike weathered every storm that stood in the way of Fubara, not even his famous ‘agreement’ with then APC presidential candidate could stop him from delivering Sim Fubara into Brick House for the next four years.
During the campaign, Many would have been forgiven for thinking Mr Wike was going for a third term, such was his energetic commitment to the cause such that Mr Fubara could only ‘follow’ instructions, like a loyal godson would.
May 29th, 2023 was an historic day as the godfather passed the baton of leadership of the state to his favorite godson after the later had won the March gubernatorial election with a landslide, of course with the charismatic support of the former. A sense of fulfillment engulfed the godfather while the godson appeared grateful.
The godfather is known for one thing, to him, “agreement is agreement”, no more and indeed no less. Governor Sim was one of the first few governors who settled seamlessly into office, he sworn we in some commissioners barely 48 hours after his inauguration, making people to believe that he is following the script handed over to him. This fulfillment of ‘agreement’ seems to continue even as the godfather relocated to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to take on a new assignment as the Minister of the FCT.
Like an apocalypse, rumour surfaced on the evening of Sunday, 29th October, 2023 of an impeachment plot against Mr Sim Fubara by the House of Assembly whose leadership is largely loyal to Mr Wike. Barely 24 hours later, the state was thrown into a full blown political crisis.
The godfather was angry and it appears the godson is ready to dare him. But what could be wrong? It’s just five months and ‘agreement is turning to disagreement’. Was the godfather overbearing? Is the godson a betrayal? Is it not early for the godson to dare his godfather? Of course in politics and especially the relationship between a political godfather and his godson is always expected to hit the rock at some point.
The question everyone is asking is not why there is obvious disagreement, that was to be expected. The question is if the godson has the ability to dare his godfather. Is this about a battle for his own political survival? is it about renegotiation of terms? One thing is sure, Mr Wike is unrelenting, a trait he deployed successfully to instal the godson into office.
Expectedly, the battle was shifted to the House of Assembly,m. The legislature holds the potent power to either save or destroy Governor Fubara. The members of the house are divided along their interest, 24 members including the Speaker Mr Amaewhule pledged loyalty to Mr Wike while the remaining 8 members including the Manority leader Mr Edison Ehie are loyal to Governor Fubara.
For the past one month, it has been a battle for survival for both godfather and godson, each plotting for self survival and at the same time destruction of the other. The godfather openly said he is not ready to surrender his political ‘structure’, the godson continue to sing praises of the godfather, at least in public.
Governor Fubara in a bid to forestall any impeachment attempt has secured several court orders including one restraining the other 24 members from sitting at the assembly complex, the other 8 members had reportedly installed Mr Ehie as the new speaker and announced the suspension of the other 24 members, in political mathematics; 8 could be greater than 24! Who would have thought?
Because Governor Fubara loves to sleep well at night, he had ordered the 8 assembly members (recognized by him) to temporarily relocate the sitting of the house to the government house, why? To allow for the ongoing renovation of the house of Assembly complex, he announced. But, for how long?
As we continue to observe event from the Treasure Base state, one begins to wonder if there is space for any mediation between the godfather and the godson and from whence will it come? Will the godfather backdown? Or will the godson surrender?
Only time will tell! But this appears to be one of the earliest face-off between a political godfather and his godson in the political history of Nigeria.
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