By John Martins®️
The comments by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio about Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the birthday celebration of his friend, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, misleads the mark. When he suggested that Governor Fubara should have “attempted poaching” Martins Amaewhule and his committee of friends, it raises several questions about his understanding of the political dynamics in Rivers State.
Why would a Governor engage Assembly members who have long vacated their seat? “Poaching” is not only illegal but also undermines the spirit of fair and accountable governance. It would be more fitting to employ more ethical and transparent methods in navigating the political landscape. Perhaps Senator Akpabio was misusing his words, but regardless, a leader of his ranking ought to tread carefully with the languages used in public .
Furthermore, the Senate President’s statement about the supposed rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor seems out of touch with reality. Governor Fubara has consistently made it clear that he is not at odds with anyone. His focus remains on the well-being and development of Rivers State, and the people are in full support of his efforts. Suggesting otherwise seems to show a lack of understanding of the situation.
It is also worth noting that Senator Akpabio himself had a rift with his now close friend, the Minister of F.C.T, in the past. If one should question whether it’s appropriate for two leaders to have differences, perhaps the Senate President should reflect on his own experiences before making such judgments.
In any case, Nigerians know that political alliances can be fleeting. The bond between Akpabio and his friend may not last forever, and that is something we all understand. But for now, Rivers people remain confident that Governor Sim Fubara is focused solely on what’s best for the state, regardless of any political distractions.
Friday, 13 December, 2024.
WHEN WILL AKPABIO THINK FIRST BEFORE SPEAKING?
The attention of Ijaw Heritage Society IHS, has been drawn to a new barrage of insensitive, inane and provocative statements credited to the man who presides over The Senate of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio.
He spewed the latest uncouth words as he spoke during the birthday lecture and book launch organized by The NEW Associates, a group of political proteges of Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and the persistent incubus, hell-bent on making Rivers State ungovernable for his Successor, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara and employing every dirty trick in the book to achieve that nefarious objective.
One of Akpabio’s opening salvos was to impishly refer to Mr Martins Amaewhule, as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly. For the sake of clarification, Mr Martins Amaewhule was Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly until he (mis) led 26 other Members to decamp from PDP to APC, thereby automatically losing their seats. Akpabio, who is a lawyer ought to be more circumspect, knowing that being a matter in court, it is SUBJUDICE to speak on it.
Not done, Akpabio, went or to offer unsolicited advice to Rivers Governor Fubara, on how to relate with the State House of Assembly. He boasted on how well he fared in his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State.Of course he did not acknowledge the fact that the Assembly in Akwa Ibom State was not unleashed on him like an attack dog, and no one made a sly and ungodly attempt to impeach him using sleeper agents, moles and fifth columnists against him. His predecessor, Obong Victor Attah let him run Akwa Ibom State in peace, without using, frivolous court cases, thugs, threats and arsonists against him as governor and the State in general.
Of course Akpabio is world-famous for trivializing every matter he touches on and his invitation to speak at Wike’s birthday bash was his chance to dissemble and troll Governor Fubara, who has not spoken or carried out any action to derail the programme as Wike would have done as governor. Indeed, Akpabio was preening full scale, unnecessarily boasting how closely President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was cuddling him, ostensibly to avoid the troubles dogging Governor Fubara. Sampler: “Any President like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must hold The Speaker and The Senate President very closely, the way he is holding us. “This crass statement shows Akpabio’s poor understanding of the issues he chose to pontificate on. He continued; “Recently he conferred on us GCON, wether he loved it or not he did it. He muscled the two chambers together”!
Many discerning minds are still aghast at Akpabio’s simplistic and garrulous outbursts.
In case Akpabio is too excited to realize it, the conferment of GCON on Senate Presidents in Nigeria is pretty routine. Every Senate President before him, got it.
Turning his guns on Governor Fubara, Akpabio said “I don’t care what people say, we must try and stop this politics of betrayal”.
Akpabio must have suffered severe memory loss or is merely employing half truths to make his point. He was accused in his time of also “betraying ” his former boss and predecessor Obong Victor Attah. Poor Akpabio is so good at missing the point, that he failed to use his lecture to address pressing National issues and instead went about showing the world just why anything he says should not be taken seriously.
He could have used the speech to sing Wike’s praises and worship him to justify the invitation he got to That is expected.
Ijaw Heritage Society IHS, is hereby advising Akpabio to render an unreserved apology to Governor Siminialayi Fubara, for the irreverent words, finger pointing and poor conduct he exhibited during Wike’s gig. This is unbecoming of a man of such high position in the land.
We reiterate our satisfaction with the general conduct of the affairs of our dear Rivers State by our decent, civil, cerebral and sober leader, Governor Fubara.
Wike and his ilk have been told in clear terms to “love Rivers State or leave her alone”.
That goes for Akpabio too.
Signed………..
Amb Sowari M Hart JP.
For, Ijaw Heritage Society (IHS).