Amaechi And Rivers PDP Crisis: “Come, Let Us Reason Together” It was a very clear message of the Holy Bible in Isaiah Chapter one verse 18-20 (Msg): “Come. Sit down. Let us argue this out. If your sins are blood-red, they will be snow-white. If they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you willingly obey, you will feast like kings. But if you’re willful and stubborn, you will die like dogs.’ That’s right. God says so.” How else can one describe insincerity if not that it is an attribute of self-deceit? Whether anybody likes it or not, the lingering political crisis in Rivers is fast becoming a vexing distraction to the entire nation and the earlier this is resolved, anyhow it’s going to be done, the better for not only the Rivers people but for the entire country. Is it not outright self deceit for the factional chairman of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, Felix Obuah to say that “the entire Rivers people should be able to read in between the lines to know who are behind the crisis, because it’s only those who have ulterior motives that will object to peace initiatives being brokered by his Leadership of the party in the state.” According to Obuah, “the invitation he gave to Governor Amaechi and the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike was in keeping with the belief that as a father, the party can reconcile its differences. For us, only Rivers people can settle their internal problems and wondered why the governor hastily rebuffed the effort as if he is not interested in making peace with his party and people. “The peace moves were deemed necessary so that Gov Amaechi and his political aides will stop using the crisis as an excuse for not discharging their duties and also stop them from using the state resources in pursuing personal political agenda which is presently the case. We’ll however not coerce any person or group into any peace agreement. It behooves on all persons involved to choose their course and take the consequences of their actions. We must reemphasize that our party is not a respecter of any person(s). It will be fair and just to all members in the state but it will be firm and courageous as well.” This same man while inaugurating his faction’s political machinery, the Grassroot Development Initiative members in Andoni Local Council, as reported was quoted as making such remarks as: “I still want to extend once more an invitation to the governor to come to my palace, let’s sit down and resolve most of these problems. Are we talking about some of his anti-party activities or is it the NGF tussle? Are we talking about his disrespect to the presidency? I want to plead that when a man is running mad it is left for us who are God-fearing to call him to order.” Is this the language of a man who wants peace and earnestly working for it? For me, it was preferred not to believe that Hon. Obuah actually said what was contained in the Press statement issued on his behalf on Friday August 9 2013 by the erstwhile Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rivers state Chapter, Jerry Needam. If the man said it in that manner, then there is a serious issue of his ability and tact because it shows he clearly lacks the political savoir needed for meaningful contribution to the good of Rivers state in peace time or in this present war situation. The best thing to do in the lingering Rivers political crisis is for those close to either sides to frankly advise them to just shut up because careless talks on both sides has only achieved one thing: worsen the crisis which otherwise is not as serious as both parties would want us to believe. Is it not ridiculous that Obuah should be the one accusing anybody particularly Amaechi of sustaining the crisis in the state? I really want to be educated on this: Is Obuah the Rivers state PDP Chairman? If yes, how did he come? And what is the relationship between his office and that of G. U Ake? Who is deceiving who? How can you be talking of peace and reconciliation and you are still claiming grounds gained in anarchy? Truth is truth and falsehood is falsehood no matter how anybody wants to colour it. Walahi you can’t stand on the platform of a stolen or rather hijacked leadership mandate to assume the role of a peacemaker in the same crisis that you’ve continued to be one of the major players if not the only one. Let’s even assume the factional chairman has been accepted or more aptly being tolerated as the state PDP chairman, should he be fanning the amber of crisis and disunity or striving to reconcile aggrieved members of the parties across the divide with utmost humility? We must strive to stop this developing Armageddon- the battle between good and evil now that we can still do something about it. If we are genuinely interested in peace and reconciliation in the political crisis in Rivers state, is it not to go back to the platform of status quo ante? Now, this is my suggestion: “Go back to where thou has fallen (all of you) and do the first work first”- this is the Bible. It has to be emphasized that the first peace move by all the parties in this crisis is to accept and return to status quo. And where should this zero platform be? First, as for the issue of the chairmanship of the PDP in the state, the middle ground is for the two factional chairmen- Obuah and Ake to humbly step aside and allow a fresh un-allied candidate come in to mend the broken party in the state. Even if Obuah is to come, let be through dialogue and consensus. The governor should rescind the impeachment of Obio Akpo Council Chairman, Timothy Nsirim considering the circumstances that led to his removal which was interpreted to be a result of the governor’s quarrels with Nyesom Wike. Amaechi should allow the man who was duly elected to return to his office without any bottlenecks. As for Amaechi and Nyesom Wike, their matter is strictly based on personal ambitions and only the two of them can sit down under close door to address and resolve it. And I mean every bit of this. Those who know know that I know! The terrible thing in all the political wrangling in the state is that the issue between Wike and Amaechi, which was supposed to be strictly between the two brothers, has been translated into a state-wide political crisis and this is an obvious mischief by this two yewalis. The manner Wike counters and even attacks Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi raises serious questions and making many people wonder if indeed they once collaborated in the past in controlling the state’s finances and even political affairs, especially in the 2011, which Wike was in control of. He knows the Governor inside out, and understands the state’s politics like the back of his palm and the governor also do know him well. When Amaechi threatened to talk, in a manner suggesting he wanted to make some revelations on Wike, the minister dared him, saying “talk and I will talk too.” When the Governor threatened to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and joined another party, before he changed his mind, Wike said he was “fasting and praying” for him to go ahead with the threat. The very interesting aspect of this quarrel is that neither Amaechi nor Wike is ready to tell Rivers people how they both managed or misapplied the state’s resources. This would have been the benefit of this disagreement to the Rivers people but it may never happen as bros dem no wan go danger zone, at least for now afterall, “Ikwerre bu otu.” The case of the folks in the Rivers state House of Assembly, Bipi should desist forthwith from ever describing himself as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly because he was never one and should allow Otele Amakiri continue his assignment as Speaker. This done, I think should douse the building tension not only in the political Rivers state but also in the security and socio-economic arena of the ordinary people who are not interested in what the politicians are doing with themselves. Whether or not the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would investigate the matters of transparency in the financial dealings of the Rivers State House of Assembly or even the entire state government should not be muddled in this political uprising. The EFCC owes it a duty to probe money matters in government and nobody can stop them. Mark my words! It’s only a matter of time. Let the Rivers ruling class continue on this path of “perpetual injunctions” and abuse of court privileges, one day, the trumpet will sound and the dead in corruption (not in Christ) or their children would rise first for judgment. My prayer for Rivers state is that the God who reigns from heaven should come down by His Spirit to intervene because the looming anarchy will do one good even those in Abuja. God bless Rivers state. And let all the people say: Amen!
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 20:40:01 +0000
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