By Emameh Gabriel
The story of Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, reads like a modern-day parable of hubris and downfall. Fubara stands accused of many things, but one sin towers above the rest like a colossus: disloyalty. This is not just a betrayal; it is the ultimate political sacrilege- biting the very hand that fed him, the hand that lifted him from obscurity to the pinnacle of power. Now, in a brazen act of overreach, he seeks to crown himself a godfather overnight, strutting into an arena dominated by seasoned politicians who have mastered the craft over decades. It is a reckless gambit, a desperate bid to rewrite the rules of a game he has barely begun to understand. The question is not whether he will succeed, but how spectacularly he will fall.
Now, the Rivers State House of Assembly has laid bare a litany of allegations against him. 19 counts of alleged misconduct that paint a portrait of a leader seemingly at war with the very institutions he swore to uphold. It is a tale of defiance, demolition, and disregard for the rule of law, a saga that has left the people of Rivers State, and even Nigerians watching from distance, wondering if their governor has lost his way.
At the heart of the allegations is Fubara’s alleged refusal to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly, a constitutional obligation he appears to have treated as optional. This omission, akin to a playwright forgetting to hand over the script, left the state’s finances in disarray. Without an appropriation law, Fubara is accused of dipping into the state’s coffers, treating the Consolidated Revenue Fund as his personal slush fund. The Assembly, in a bid to rein in this financial recklessness, declared a shutdown on government expenditure, but Fubara, like a maverick actor improvising his lines, carried on spending as if the rules did not apply to him.
Then there is the matter of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, a symbol of democratic governance reduced to rubble under Fubara’s watch. The governor is accused of personally supervising the demolition of the hallowed chambers, an act that has been described as both brazen and symbolic. It was as if Fubara sought to physically dismantle the very institution that could hold him accountable.
I listened to Fubara recently as he lamented, his voice heavy with regret, over the staggering sums of money squandered in his relentless battle against pro-Wike lawmakers over the past 18 months. He spoke of how this costly feud has crippled his ability to focus on governance, leaving the people of Rivers State to bear the brunt of his political misadventures. I could only shake my head in disbelief. Billions of taxpayer money vanished into thin air, sacrificed at the altar of personal ambition. The weight of this waste is a stain that no apology can wash away. The Supreme Court, in a scathing judgment, condemned this act of destruction, likening it to an assault on democracy itself.
Fubara’s alleged sins extend beyond financial mismanagement and the demolition of public property. He stands accused of making a slew of appointments without the Assembly’s approval, as if the legislative arm of government were a mere inconvenience. These appointments, deemed illegal by the Assembly, have only added to the growing list of grievances. It is as if Fubara, in his quest to consolidate power, decided to bypass the checks and balances that are the bedrock of democratic governance.
Fubara is far from alone in this abuse of power; it has, sadly, become a deeply entrenched political culture in Nigeria, particularly among those in the executive branch. State governors, in particular, have turned this toxic practice into an art form, wielding their authority like unchecked monarchs rather than public servants. It is a systemic rot, a recurring theme in the Nigerian political playbook, where power is often misused with impunity, and accountability is treated as an afterthought.
The governor’s alleged vindictiveness is perhaps most evident in his handling of the Assembly’s finances. He is accused of withholding the salaries of lawmakers and staff, a move that only defines a petty tyranny. By this, Fubara sought to cripple the Assembly’s ability to function, effectively silencing dissent and undermining the principle of separation of powers. It was a calculated act of political warfare.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in this unfolding drama has added a layer of judicial gravitas to the Assembly’s case. The court ordered a halt to all financial releases to the state until an appropriation law is passed, a move that has left Fubara’s administration scrambling for funds.
Yet, for all the allegations and condemnations, Fubara remains defiant. His supporters argue that he is the victim of a political witch hunt, a leader being hounded by those who cannot stomach his rise to power. They point to his achievements, his vision for Rivers State, and his commitment to the people as evidence of his good intentions. But even his most ardent defenders cannot ignore the growing chorus of voices calling for his impeachment.
The Assembly’s impeachment notice is a damning indictment, a 19-count charge sheet that reads like a litany of democratic sins. Fubara, once hailed as a rising star in Nigerian politics, now finds himself teetering on the brink of political oblivion.
Today, he scurries from one corner to the next, desperately seeking a political lifeline to save himself from the tidal wave of consequences crashing toward him. It is a frantic dance of survival, as he tries to outmaneuver the inevitable storm of his own making. Sadly, redemption, it seems, is a distant shore, and time is running out.
As the drama unfolds, the people of Rivers State are left to wonder what comes next. Will Fubara bow out gracefully, or will he go down fighting, his legacy reduced to rubble, much like the Assembly complex he allegedly demolished? The answer to that question remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the show must go on, but not at the expense of democracy. Fubara’s cross is his to carry!
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