Former President Goodluck Jonathan has waded into the murky waters of Rivers politics, urging Governor Simi Fubara and his estranged godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to end their public feud.
Jonathan on Monday, May 20, 2024, during the flag-off of the Trans-Kalabari Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, called on Fubara and Wike to ceasefire, saying the political face-off is worrisome.
Urging the Rivers governor and his estranged principal to embrace themselves, the former president said, “So, I urge political actors, you must work together if you love the Rivers people. I join the leaders of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians who have been calling for a truce and ceasefire to also re-emphasise that there is a need for a ceasefire. Let us do things that would rather project the state.”
Though former President Johnathan’s intervention is seen as a welcomed development, analysts remain cautious, citing a history of failed interventions and the complexity of the current conflict.
A History of Hostility
This is not an isolated incident. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy, a worrying trend has emerged: governors and their predecessors engaging in public spats. The well-documented clashes in Kano between Abdullahi Ganduje and Abba Yusuf and similar conflicts have unfolded in Kaduna and Eddo State at different times..
These battles often stem from a complex web of factors. Accountability for past actions, particularly regarding finances, is a constant source of tension. Additionally, control of party structures and influence over future elections fuels the fire. Broken agreements and personal vendettas further muddy the waters.
This is not the first time a power struggle has erupted between a Rivers governor and his predecessor
Former governor Peter Odili fell out with Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, also clashed with Nyesom Wike, his successor, and now, history seems to be repeating itself, with Wike accusing Fubara of dismantling his political machinery and siding with his enemies.
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The Price of Conflict
The consequences of this ongoing brawl are far-reaching. Beyond the spectacle of public mudslinging, governance in Rivers is suffering. Key projects are reportedly stalled due to a lack of cooperation, and the political climate is rife with tension. Analysts warn that a divided PDP could face a strong challenge from the opposition in the 2027 gubernatorial election, mirroring the fate of APC in Osun and Edo states
Lagos PDP and Jonathan’s truce
Less than twenty-four hours after former President Jonathan’s call for a ceasefire in the raging Rivers political crisis, the Lagos State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, chairman, Philip Aivoji, commended him and also expressed confidence in his truce. “The ex-President is an elder; he is an experienced person who has been meditating in international affairs., Let us see how it goes,” he said.
Like Aivoji, many who want the political crisis in Rivers settled have expressed confidence in Jonathan’s truce, banking on his years of mediating in international affairs. It was the same way hope was high when President Tinubu called for a ceasefire some months ago. Many stated that the President’s leadership experience and position are some of the reasons why Wike and Fubara will embrace peace, only for the two of them to continue shooting darts at each other.
Meanwhile, some have doubted the possibility of Jonathan’s truce working in the former governor Wike and Fubara’s brawl. They argue that international politics and local politics are two different ball games and that the former President’s tactics in settling international disputes might not work at the local level, most especially in the Rivers case, where the two warring factions have defied all peace pacts presented to them by leaders across states and political divides.
