I am your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki. If you know cry, you go laugh now. Yesterday, I watched a video with my wife of a little boy who was crying, but something funny happened, and he suddenly started laughing. My wife must have watched that video 15 times. I have cried and lamented so much about Nigeria that now, I just choose to laugh at the unfolding drama.
Letâs talk about the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by the president. Before they pass that bill requiring bloggers to belong to an association with headquarters in Abuja or state capitalsâwhere they can be traced, monitored, and arrestedâletâs speak out. I hear that bill has passed the second reading, yet everyone is quiet. Those who feel threatened by social media want to stifle free speech. They forget that freedom of association allows one to choose whether to belong to an association or not. If they want tech companies to open offices in Nigeria to employ people and pay taxes, thatâs fine. But if the goal is to silence voices, many will find ways around it.
The State Capture in Rivers State
What is happening in Rivers State is nothing short of state capture. Some people want to pocket the country, suppress free expression, and rule over us like Nigeria is a farm settlement for the elites. Many of these politicians donât love Nigeria; they treat it as a place to harvest wealth before relocating abroad. Meanwhile, those of us they consider enemies are the ones who genuinely love the country.
Back in 2013, the Daily Trust reported that Bola Ahmed Tinubu vehemently criticized the imposition of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa by President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2004, he also opposed Obasanjoâs declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau State. Back then, the cost of petrol was 42.80 naira per liter, and these same people condemned Jonathanâs policies. Today, fuel is nearly 20 times that price.
What Is the Real Problem in Rivers State?
When I first heard that a state of emergency had been declared, I thought, âFinally! The president is addressing hunger, unemployment, kidnapping, and herdsmen attacks.â But when I realized it was about Rivers State, I understoodâitâs about power and resources. Politics, according to David Easton, is the authoritative allocation of resources. Nigeriaâs politics is about who gets what, when, and how much.
A few years ago, Pastor T.D. Jakes advised Nigerians to have a Plan B. Some church folks and pseudo-intellectuals criticized him. But today, his words ring true. We are heading somewhere we donât understand, and many will regret not planning ahead.
The Peter Obi Spirit Will Haunt You
The spirit of the 2023 election, where Nigerians voted despite the rain and hardship, will haunt those who truncated the will of the people. The prayers and cries of those who believed in change will not go unanswered. The evil supported today will become the fertilizer for future troubles.
Rivers State and the Wike-Fubara Crisis
I have paid little attention to the fight between Wike and Fubara because itâs like two thieves fighting over stolen pigs. Wike, who has betrayed nearly all his godfathers, once led Fubara in eating political âpork.â Fubara, as Rivers Stateâs accountant general, was declared wanted by the EFCC in 2022 over billions of missing funds. He ran for cover, only to now claim he doesnât want to eat pork anymore. But Wike reminds him, âYou were with me all along!â This fight is not about the peopleâitâs about control over Rivers Stateâs wealth.
Fubara was never meant to be governor in a true democracy. The primaries were skewed in his favor, voter suppression marred the elections, and manipulation ensured Wikeâs candidate won. Rivers State remains a battleground because controlling it means controlling oil wealth and over a million votes.
The Insult to Democracy
The federal governmentâs handling of this crisis is an insult to democracy. Instead of allowing elected representatives to function, a retired military administrator has been imposed. This is the same Tinubu who fought against military rule in NADECO daysânow he brings back the military into governance.
When soldiers surrounded the Rivers State Government House at night, I wondered: Do we no longer have a well-trained mobile police force? Why imprison an elected governor as if the military has taken over? What message is being sent? If civilian leaders cannot manage crises, are we implying that military rule is better?
The Gang of Political Elites
This whole situation is about power and state capture. Wike is needed for Tinubuâs 2027 plans, so removing him as a minister is out of the question. Fubara, on the other hand, should have used wisdom from the start. If you are eating pork, donât suddenly claim to be a Jew. Wike fought his own battles and wonâFubara should have been more strategic.
The Future of Nigeria
I remain Dr. Charles Apoki, and I just dey laugh. Something big is coming. The spirit of Peter Obi and that stolen election will continue to haunt those who denied Nigeria a breath of fresh air.
We dey here! We no dey go anywhere! God bless you.
