Despite Obstacles, Fubara Kicks-Starts Celebration

By Ogbonna Nwuke

All is now set for the kick off of ceremonies marking the first year in office of the Fubara administration.

From what is on ground, the celebration would commence with the commissioning of the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo end of the Old Bori Road rehabilitated under the watch of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The project which is to be inaugurated this morning by Governor Alex Oti of Abia State is apparently proof of the fact that despite claims that Fubara practically has nothing on ground because of the ongoing crisis, the Rivers Government truly has something to show.

 

According to the itinerary, the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo section that is part of the Old Bori Road reconstructed by Governor Fubara will be commissioned  at 11.00am.

Those who thought that a day like this would never come must be in great shock as activities heralding the Governor’s one year anniversary begin. These people may be wondering as they stare intently at their political crystal balls how Fubara managed to stay on in office to this time.

Against the backdrop of a war that hss been forced on him by friends who have turned bitter foes, Fubara, apparently focused on his mission, was silently working behind the scene to deliver on his promises to the people.

Today’s commissioning exercise which marks the beginning of a 20-day period set aside by the Rivers Government to celebrate excellence, tenacity, dedication and vision is thus, a remarkable victory of what many see as light over darkness.

It is perhaps, a major triumph over brute force and man’s innate desire if laws did not exist; if good men stood by and did nothing; to dominate everyone and everything.

Accordingly, the Rivers Governor deserves the respect of foes and friends alike for standing up to some of those in society who may think that it is best in the circumstance to act like the proverbial bull in a China-shop.

From creation, man has tried to erect a society which abhors the intimidation of the meek by the strong.

So, the protection of those perceived as weak and mighty under a system of laws as well as administrative arrangements which guarantee rights to rights to free speech, association and worship have over the years received considerable attention.

Notwithstanding the extent of progress made to erect a near perfect society, build a global village and promote order, man’s natural survival instinct remains under threat from those who sit at the upper echelon.

Not even those who walk along the corridor of power like the Rivers Governor are spared. They are harassed by those who have become influencial, rich, powerful and untouchable.

This may explain in part why there are conflicts and crisis, why courtrooms are inundated with people seeking legal relief and why some who become frustrated by the existing system that they cannot change resort to self help.

Fubara’s world changed completely the day the Rivers people elected him governor. For him, it was an opportunity to render service, and a chance to set an appropriately agenda for growth and development in  Rivers State.

Somehow, the young technocrat who rose through the civil service has had great difficulty settling down as the official head of government as a result of the political dynamics of the oil rich State.

Records show that his administration has faced stiff challenges right from the onset. Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike who handed over the State to Fubara has not hidden his displeasure since his alleged move to seize control of state apparatuses was rebuffed.

Fubara broke free of Wike’s control early, just about the time the government was to celebrate its first hundred days in office. Not many knew about it at the time.

And when the disagreements which separated a godfather from a godson came to limelight, not many inside and outside Rivers State knew why the crisis erupted.

But the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie who was a member of the State House of Assembly when the crisis crept into the open has offered an explanation.

Speaking at a recent occasion which took place in the Orashi Region, Ehie noted that the decision taken by his boss to protect state resources led to the disagreement.

It may indeed be Ehie’s words against the Minister as the fight for political relevance escalates. Wike is purportedly at the centre of the Rivers crisis,  but the reactions of his supporters who saw Fubara’s resolve to be his own man as a taboo reveal quite a lot.

Why should the refusal of a horse to drink water by the riverside result in a death sentence? When has the decision of a man to follow the dictates of his heart become a crime?

As things are, those who are chasing Fubara around, who are determined to make Rivers State ungovernable, are better positioned to provide answers as the battle rages on and most Nigerians urge the Minister to exercise some restraint.

It is good that we are celebrating a year of service. It is right that at this time the people who want stability, peace and progress in their midst deserve to have the scorecard of this administration.

From the protection of the mandate freely given to him by the Rivers people to the sustainance of the health sector, the stimulation of private enterprise through soft loans and the rehabilitation of the civil service to mention a few, Fubara has shown that if Wike and his supporters were to remove some of the political landmines which are being placed on the way, the State would break newer grounds.

Within three years, Fubara according to his Commissioner for Information is expected to complete 12 solid interchanges, complete critical roads, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road and other infrastructure that the State is steadily putting in place.

As part of the celebration, an economic summit which will point the direction of Fubara’s economic policy will be held in Port Harcourt. What to do about harnessing the digital economy and releasing the latent energy of Rivers youths would also be on the table.

I must salute the Rivers Governor. His pragmatic approach to governance has proved that youths could be trusted to be innovative and creative if their services and skills are tapped.

His decision to invite Dr Alex Oti, the Governor of Abia State, a known performer, to commission today’s project will certainly help in promoting good neighbourliness.

The Igbos share boundaries with Rivers State.  Through intermarriages, business interactions, the Rivers people and their neighbours have come to enjoy close ties.

Fubara has proved by inviting Oti to be his guest that he understands what should be done to strengthen collaboration at the sub regional level and stimulate cooperation which is required in building a stronger and united nation.

As Fubara takes charge and celebrates his first year in office, what we have on the cake is more or less the perfect icing. And it is our hope that with the support of the people, the Governor would succeed in his effort to take the ship of state to the land of promise.

All said, I think that the governor who has shown sufficient courage and a political will has managed to shut the mouths of stricken naysayers who have relentlessly created false impressions about what he is doing in office.

While we wish the Abia Governor a nice and enjoyable visit, we urge Fubara not to relent in his bid to put the Rivers people first in everything that he does. What we see from our quiet corner suggests that the Rivers Governor is ready to work for the benefit of the people.

Those after him should shield their swords. The Rivers people do not want strong men. According to President Barak Obama, what Rivers people need from their leaders are strong democratic institutions.

It is our prayer that reason will eventually prevail, particularly among the pound-to-pound fighters whose free-for-all blows are beginning to hurt the dignity of the Rivers people.

Yet, there are lessons to learn from the ongoing scuffle between Wike and Fubara. The first thing to say is that no man can play God. Those who have tried throughout history have paid dearly.

Not even God can sink this ship, the owner of The Titanic said moments before the ill-fated vessel was to set sail. It sank.

The Americans built the Challenger, a space shuttle that was headed for the moon. It blew up as it lifted from the ground. Who was the Challenger about to challenge? No one is sure, but it seems certain that God who works with man to actualise his dreams does not share His glory with anyone.

Okonkwo in the popular novel, Things Fall Apart, authored by Chinua Achebe against advice spearheaded the brutal murder of Ikemefuna.

In order to prove how macho he was as a man, Okonkwo took out a lad who saw him as a father figure. That incident, for those who have read the novel, led to the downfall of the strong man.

What should we learn from this? One should not be responsible, no matter what, for the destruction of anyone who has ever called you father or seen you as a father figure.

It would be wise for those who are escalating the Rivers crisis to drop the gauntlet while there is still time and quickly embrace the pathway that leads to peace and stability among all men.

Let the celebration begin.