Rivers May Get Another Minister Soon

By PHC Telegraph

 

There are emerging signs that the Rivers State which has been in the news most of the time for the wrong reasons might have the opportunity to produce another federal minister.

So far, Rivers has only one member at the Federal Executive Council. He is Nyesom Wike, a former governor and current FCT Minister who has reportedly brought some changes to the developmental landscape of Abuja.

But according to what we are learning, the one minister status that Rivers enjoys may not last for too long.

The political perception of  President Bola Tinubu’s government which existed before the outbreak of the Rivers crisis is seemingly undergoing strategic review now that moves are being made to cement the peace among the leaders of the warring parties.

Solving The Rivers Crisis:

The Port Harcourt Telegraph has learnt through sources that the Presidency may be thinking of a strategic plan that embraces Rivers State.

Besides, the Tinubu administration is under pressure as the Nigerian people clamour for an end to emergency rule.

At least two former presidents are already believed to be piling serious pressure on the Jagaban to recall Fubara as Democracy Day draws close.

In Rivers State where the ongoing peace move really matters most, the prevalent mood among the Rivers people as well as the non indigenes who reside in their midst overwhelmingly support the return of Fubara to office.

Nothing, they say, is happening in the State since the Governor was suspended. What ever exists as the State’s administrative structure isn’t working. They say it is not good enough for business and so does not encourage growth in any sense.

It is becoming clear that the President may likely address a joint session of the National Assembly. This has raised hopes in some circles that the President may choose to say something about the situation in Rivers State on the occasion of Democracy Day.

Ministerial Pick, Why Tinubu May Consider It;

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be contemplating picking another Minister from Rivers State”, this publication learnt through a source.

The source explained, “the idea may not be to remove Wike from the picture. There are states that have more than one minister. Given the important place of Rivers State in the scheme of things, the State deserves to have another ministerial slot, a minister of state for example.”

Besides, not only is the volume of votes in the South South State sizeable, Rivers has remarkable influence in the geopolitics of the region which includes the Niger Delta and makes significant contributions to the national economy.

Which is why many political strategists say no ruling party at the national level can afford to ignore the State on the way to any general election.

Since after the declaration of a state of emergency in the Rivers State on March 18, this year, a significant upgrade in terms of the relationship which exists between the President and the suspended Governor of Rivers State has been taking place.

First, Fubara met privately with the President in London. That meeting changed the narrative and gave birth to the ongoing peace process that most in the State have embraced with two hands.

Fubara’s visit to Tinubu in Lagos, has led to further speculations in some quarters, with some saying the President is beginning to see the Rivers Governor as a son and a potential ally.

Somehow, there was no third-party when President Tinubu met with Fubara in Lagos and no one can say with any measure of certainty what the two men discussed.

Fubara is quiet. He has refused to be dragged into a war of words, preferring to be focused and less noisy in his approach to issues.

He has seemingly proved that he has the organic support of a majority of ordinary Rivers people, a point which explains why it was difficult by those who fought against him to break him down.

Abuja insiders say the President who wants the restoration of peace in Rivers State is not only driving the process but also investing a lot of energy in ensuring that the political tension generated by the fight among the major gladiators withers away.

While some across the country are happy with the romance that the President and Fubara are having, there are others who are rattled by it.

What is at stake is securing the mandate of the Rivers people. This appears to be the goal that Fubara who has learnt lessons of his own seeks to fulfill.

In the meantime, the people insist they have no part in an ‘alien’ administration of a non indigenous administrator at a time other states like Rivers are enjoying self rule.