State of Emergency: The President Displayed Bias in Favor of Fubara

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By Akin Adeyi

In my view, the suspended governor, Mr. Similaye Fubara, and the people of Rivers and Nigeria were the primary beneficiaries of the situation. Fubara’s suspension by Mr. President can be seen as a lifeline, as he was previously facing imminent impeachment. With twenty-seven out of thirty members having initiated impeachment proceedings, Fubara’s prospects for escape appeared bleak.

The president’s actions have proven that he is a father figure to everyone, including Fubara, who had previously disparaged and disrespected him. Another president might have abandoned Fubara, but Tinubu chose to show compassion, thereby saving Fubara’s career from potential ruin, which would have necessitated extraordinary intervention to prevent severe consequences at the hands of his accusers, including the twenty-seven lawmakers of the state led by Mr. Nyesom Wike, his erstwhile boss and predecessor in office.

Disappointingly, Fubara’s own supporters are his bane in this ugly situation. They aren’t pleased about his rescue from impeachment; it seems they preferred for him to be humiliated out of office, even to face jail. Perhaps they’re unaware that if the proceedings had continued, Fubara would have faced severe consequences. Having lost his constitutional immunity, the lawmakers would have pursued him aggressively.

In the aftermath, impeachment proceedings would have been initiated against him, alongside the formation of a House Panel to investigate allegations of bombing the State House of Assembly, destroying the Assembly structure, and orchestrating two pipeline bombings. Engaging the world’s top attorney would have been essential for him to counter these allegations. They would have applied intense pressure on him, but Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in the state has provided him with substantial relief. The consequences of these events would have been widespread, affecting multiple aspects of life in Rivers State.

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As for Mr. Nyesom Wike and his fellow lawmakers, I think the president’s announcement of a state of emergency effectively curtailed their ambitions. They were close to assuming control of the state’s highest office, with the Speaker of the House likely to become governor. The president’s proclamation, however, derailed their plans.

Are there potential frustrations that could be more pronounced? Nonetheless, many people seem to be ignorant of this fact, as they continue to denounce Mr. President instead of recognizing his rare display of magnanimity towards Fubara. In subsequent developments, Nigeria’s two legislative arms, whom many believed would not support the president, startled their party and leaders by providing their unconditional support to him.

At this critical point, what remains for Fubara to capitalize on is the opportunity presented to him by the President to salvage himself. Six months may be too long for him to reconcile with his tormentors. What is necessary for him to seek and deploy massively at this time is an intense political solution if he is still interested in the coveted number one position. He will need to shed his toga of arrogance and reclaim his position, which automatically confers on him constitutional immunity; otherwise, a jail term awaits him.