Is it possible that the ersthwhile Commissioner for Environment wrote to a contractual firm handling projects outside his Ministry to stop work without the authorization of the Governor of Rivers State?
This is perhaps, the question that many are asking as the reason for the icy relationship between the Rivers Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike and his former Commissioner for Environment which resulted in his sack becomes an issue of public discussion.
Wike is claiming that the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Igbiks Tamuno wrote to Julius Berger, a construction company that is enjoying unfettered patronage, to stop work on all ongoing projects across the State.
Somehow, Wike chose to seize the opportunity offered by an exchange of views with environmental experts who were discussing the impact of the black soot on health and the environment to announce the sack.
“Some of those present when the pronouncement was made”, said a high Government official who spoke under ananimous conditions, “were shocked by the outburst on the part of the Governor.”
“This was not one of the reactions that those who had gathered for the occasion were looking forward to”, the official noted.
The Commissioner has since stepped aside, but the accusation levied against him by the governor is however generating a lot of talk, within and outside social media circles.
Whereas some claim that the Governor has allegedly done even worse things in the discharge of his official tasks, there is a growing fear among Okrikans, some of who are saying that they are being targeted.
Many here agree that the State Governor acted well within his powers in relieving the Commissioner of his appointment.
“That’s a prerogative enjoyed by the Governor that no one can contradict”, a public affairs analyst told the Port Harcourt Telegraph.
“But the alleged reason for his removal has left others who are following unfolding developments, particularly the drama that is playing out at this time, in some doubt”, the analyst stated.
Obiaruku Ndukwe said of Governor Wike on her Facebook account, “If the Commissioner erred this once, is it enough to sack him without a query?”
Acknowledging that on the surface “the Governor was right to punish the erring aide in order to serve as a deterent to others”, Ndukwe observed that the Governor has been guilty of taking similar steps.
“A peep into Wike’s 6 years of governance would reveal that he has also severally halted work by Federal Government through its agencies in the State and sometimes, threatened lawsuits or outright blockage of access to buildings occupied by some of these agencies” Ndukwe remarked.
She asked, “It is pertinent to ask who then can punish Governor Wike for similar acts of gross misconduct?”
So far, the Rivers State Government has not released the content of the letter that Tamuno allegedly wrote.
Outside the allegation put forward by the Governor, we are yet to obtain any independent confirmation of the claim.
Facts emerging from sources close to the administration indicate that the relationship between the Governor and the Commissioner has deteriorated in recent times.
“For some reason”, an insider disclosed, “the Commissioner has long ended up on the Governor’s blacklist.There may be others, especially those who are not happy how the Governor is running the administration”
There has been no reaction from Igbiks Tamuno who apparently is in the eye of the storm. Many hope he would speak up.
Close associates say the Commissioner may be studying the options before him. “Wike has acted and we are watching”, an ally of the Commissioner remarked.
Well placed persons within the PDP say there are increasing cleavages within the party. Such cleavages are developing by the day, according to information tha are reaching our news desk.
A Telegraph survey suggests that there are people in the Peoples Democratic Party who think the political platform which claims to uphold democratic principles is gradually transforming into Wike’s party.
It is not clear if Tamuno is one of those who feel this way, but many think that the cracks within the party are getting wider by the day.
Within Wakrike circles, the foundation upon which the PDP once stood has become rather shaky of late.
The feeling that the views of their leaders in the ruling party on matters which affect them are being disregarded is similarly gaining currency.
Incidentally, it is a feeling that is shared by people of Riverine extraction across Rivers State.
Wike is apparently enjoying a poor rating in Etche, following the way he treated the corpse of Rt. Hon. Jerome Eke.
The Etche people are not the only ones in the Upland who are dissatisfied with the style of Wike.
Even in Obio/Akpor where Wike hails from, people are increasingly kicking against the high handedness of their son.
In the Orashi region, many still remember the senseless slaughter of their loved ones a few years ago under the watch of the Wike administration.
Our investigation has revealed that views are split within the Riverine areas and across the State over the disposition of the Governor towards the people.
While some reason it would be needless not to play along with a “winning horse”, others say it is time to build new alignments in other to protect the interests of different ethnic blocs who believe at this time that they are being excluded from the corridors of power.
Alhaji Asari Dokubo who has become a fierce opponent of the Governor was among a group of Kalabari and Ogoni people who met recently to cement age-long ties which may prove eventful on the road to 2023.
Speaking on that occasion, Asari had warned that the people would resist attempts by Governor Wike and his associates to sideline cultural and traditional pacts that have served the State well in the past.