Rivers Madness: At Least There Was No Amaechi to Blame.

Rivers Madness: At Least There Was No Amaechi to Blame.

By. Ferdinand Ekeoma.

To be fair to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers , I do not think he pretends a lot about himself. From my assessment, he appears to be rude, reckless and uncouth,  but a very courageous person who doesn't pretend or care about controversy.  I intentionally didn't want to add the word "violent", even though many Nigerians have reasons to associate him with numerous politically motivated violence in his state. However, many of his numerous supporters seem not to have known him very well prior to yesterday.  If they knew him, they wouldn't be expressing the kind of shock and disappointment I have seen many of them express, to the extent of publicly announcing the withdrawal of their support for him.

From my own perspective, except for a few mature individuals who chose to support Wike out of self conviction, majority of his supporters, especially those from South East and South South were those who embraced him as an expression of their misplaced anger against former governor Chibuike Amaechi for supporting Buhari and for his role in defeating former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

I definitely wouldn't blame such people,  after all, many of them were diehard supporters of former governor Amaechi, sadly we live in a country where even the teaching of history has been terribly relegated,thus majority of them who may have forgotten or who didn't know at all how things fell apart between Wike and Amaechi, still do not have the opportunity to refresh their minds by reading that very interesting history. 

Yes, such supporters forgot or may not know about the nationally acclaimed role of Amaechi in the election of Jonathan in 2011 where Jonathan got millions of votes and won overwhelmingly in Rivers state with Amaechi as the governor. 

They forgot how the near perfect relationship between Amaechi and his brother Jonathan was destroyed because Wike played smart one on Jonathan by instigating Mama Peace against Amaechi, and got Jonathan to endorse it, sadly, Jonathan didn't know that his own ambition was being put on the line for Wike's governorship ambition. 

They forgot how Mama Peace, a woman married in far away Bayelsa pushed ruthlessly to decide what should happen in her state of origin, Rivers under Amaechi, just because her husband was the president. Mama Peace insulted the then governor Amaechi and went to the extent  of grabbing the microphone from him in a public gathering and scolded him like a pupil, because the governor promised to demolish shanties and other illegal structures that served as safe haven for criminals in Okirika, with a firm promise to build schools there.

Many didn't remember CP Mbu who was at Wike's beck and call when maximum violence was brought upon Rivers in a bid to remove Amaechi as governor. Several impeachment moves failed, while Amaechi's supporters were ruthlessly dealt with by the Police led by CP Mbu. It became a national disgrace as outrage greeted every episode. 

It wasn't going to abate,  because Mama Peace was in charge,  and having been terribly brainwashed, or if you like dribbled by Wike, it was difficult to convince her that the war against Amaechi was needless as it merely served Wike's interest while putting Uncle Jona's ambition in jeopardy. 

Seeing himself being humiliated and rejected by those who should actually embrace him, Amaechi took a bold step of survival, leveraging his position and influence in the governor's forum to fight for his seat and his political life. 

His exit from the PDP was mission accomplished for Wike who was determined to assert his authority and pursue his ambition which was ab initio the cause of the protracted crisis. To confirm his excitement, Wike boasted that immediately Jonathan is declared the winner in 2015  they will shut all the borders, capture Amaechi and dump him in prison. Sadly for Wike and other captors, Jonathan never returned as president.

Prior to Amaechi's movement to APC, millions of people from the South East and South South region loved him with passion. Many loved him because of his sterling performance, especially in the area of infrastructure and his signature  school projects which became a reference point, while others loved him for his ferocious and far reaching onslaught against militants and cultists in Rivers. He also enjoyed so much love, support and sympathy from millions of Nigerians who detested the injustice meted to him.

However, majority of those whose love, support, and solidarity for Amaechi were sectionally and politically motivated  quickly transferred same to Wike for his support for Jonathan and consistent attack on Amaechi, sadly,  majority of these supporters  couldn't pause, ponder and ask; when and how did Amechi suddenly become the foe? They didn't ask themselves; what would we have done if we were in Amaechi's shoes?

Since after the 2019 election, Amaechi appears to have faced his job as a federal minister, and possibly used dignified silence to score many goals against Wike.

For Wike, it has been from one problem to another, interestingly,it's no longer Amaechi vs Wike, rather it now appears to be Wike vs Rivers people. 

The demolition of the hotel at Eleme appeared to be the last straw that broke the camel's back. His supporters knew that Amaechi hasn't been in the picture lately, so the chances of politicising it and blaming Amaechi "the foe" was zero. Just like other Nigerians, their rage was against Wike and Wike alone.

We are good at copying policies from Europe and America the way they would suit our reckless style, yet we fail woefully to critically adopt those pro people leadership measures that would help drive those policies home in times like this  

Beyond ordering a total lockdown, what were the economic policies put in place to impact on the people. What stimulus packages does Rivers have for poor citizens who would be trapped at home as long as the pandemic lasts? Has a rich state like Rivers gathered her best brains in the field of epidemiology and other related fields and equipped them for research aimed at finding a cure or Vaccine for the disease,  or is the state waiting for World Health Organisation like all of us? 

Citizens who flout government orders and good directives at a time like this should be punished, but such punishment doesn't entail senseless deployment of naked power against vulnerable citizens. Showmanship should be disconnected from real governance, especially in times of crisis when wisdom and restraint are required most in dealing with the citizens. 

I have read from the legal angle that the executive order that regulates the lockdown in Rivers state was made pursuant to QUARANTINE ACT, 1926 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.The said act specifically provides for a fine of a certain amount of money or six months imprisonment, or both. So please where did the governor derive his powers to demolish the hotel? Or are we saying that his executive order should override the  Quarantine Act of the federation?

I have also read a recent judgement that was delivered against a more organized state of Lagos which made nonsense of the executive order, same order which was allegedly deployed by Wike.

I want to be corrected or educated specifically on the basis of what the law says. 

The fact that governor Wike is trending for the bad reasons more than any other governor had ever trended in recent years, is enough to make the defenders of his action pause a bit. At least, it appears Wike and his men haven't yet found the right words to defend their latest costly somersault, possibly because there was no Amaechi to blame. 

It's an incomprehensible stone age act of ignominy for anyone to believe that the extreme act of demolishing a hotel was the best action required to instil discipline in a citizen at a time like this.

Not too long ago, Wike publicly insulted and humiliated dozens of Rivers traditional rulers in their presence, some of who are old enough to be his father, sadly,  those who support him didn't see anything wrong with that.

Like Obama said some years ago while visiting Africa that "Africa requires strong Institutions, and not strong men". Wike is wielding his powers very recklessly and needs to apply caution. 

If  Wike had built strong institutions in Rivers state and allowed bright Rivers sons  and daughters to be in charge, he would not have the time for such repulsive drama, sadly he doesn't know that it portends direct danger for him if he sets this obnoxious standard, because someone very mean and more brutal might occupy the seat he's occupying today, and may decide to deploy the same naked power against him.

It's strong Institutions that check the excesses of strong men, because strong men come and go, but institutions remain and strive to be fair to all, therefore now that there's no Amaechi to blame for the continuous hokum going on in Rivers state, Wike should kindly listen to all these voices of reasoning across the country, especially from his supporters who are already expressing their shock and disappointment in him.

Footballers who once won world footballers of the year, later retired and became spectators, because no one remains in form forever. I hope governor Wike ponders over his actions, knowing that he would also watch from the stand as a spectator one day.

Buhari orders importation of Madagascar COVID-19 ‘remedy’

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd .), has ordered the importation of the acclaimed coronavirus remedy by Madagascar to Nigeria.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19, Boss Mustapha , made this known during a briefing in Abuja on Monday.

Mustapha , who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said, “ Madagascar has made allocations to various countries, and sent them to Guinea Bissau . We‘re supposed to make arrangements to freight Nigeria’s allocation from Guinea Bissau; it ‘ll be subjected to the standard validation process for pharmaceuticals.

“ Mr President has given instructions for the airlifting of Nigeria’s allocation of the Madagascar COVID- 19 Syrup ; also given clear instructions that it must be subjected to the standard validation process for pharmaceuticals; there will be no exceptions for this .”

He assured Nigerians that the task force was intensifying efforts to stop the spread of the virus in Nigeria.

“ Nigeria has only one national response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Where there are differing strategies is in the implementation of non - pharmaceutical interventions. But as far as the response is concerned, there is only one national response,” he added.

The PUNCH reports that Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau , Niger , and Tanzania have taken delivery of consignments of the potion , which was launched last month.

Madagascar said the drink is derived from artemisia – a plant with proven anti - malarial properties – and other indigenous herbs.

(The Punch)

COVID-19: Ekiti’s testing centre to commence work this week- Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Monday said arrangements have been finalisd for the take off of the state’s Covid-19 testing centre, adding that testing for coronavirus would commence at the centre before the end of the week.

Dr Fayemi disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at the expanded Infectious Disease Unit at the Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

“This week, we will be formally launching our testing centre at the teaching hospital. So, I’m confirming it to you.” Governor Fayemi told journalists after the inspection.

He explained that the testing centre would help the state test as many people as possible as part of government’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

The expansion of the state’s isolation centre to a 100 -bed capacity is a proactive step to prepare against a possible surge in the number of patients.

The Governor, who put the present capacity of the centre for Covid-19 patients at ten beds, stated that the state already has ten active patients, while the results of some contacts were being expected. The development, according to him, has justified government’s plan to expand the centre to a 100-bed capacity.

Governor Fayemi said: “We are expanding our infectious disease hospital bed space, as you know we have just ten-bed space in the one we are using now but there is an increase and we have to prepare for the worse while we hope for the best.

“We want a reduction in the number of Covid-19 positive patients in the state, but right now, we have about ten active cases, that mean all our beds there are fully occupied. So, we have had to then expand to a hundred- bed space. So, if we have any additional patients, we are prepared for them”

Premier League and other sports in England get June green light to resume

Top-level sport in England could restart behind closed doors from 1 June but spectators may not be able to attend venues until a vaccine is found.

The government’s road map for exiting the lockdown imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus was published on Monday afternoon, setting out the conditions under which various activities can be safely carried out.

Step two of the road map, which cannot begin any earlier than 1 June, includes “permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact”.

This will only be possible though if sufficient progress is made in limiting the spread of the virus between now and then, but the document entitled “Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK government’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy” says that “organisations should plan accordingly”.

It is less clear when supporters will be able to return to venues. The document talks about venues such as cinemas and hairdressers reopening in step three – no earlier than 4 July – but states: “Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to reopen safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part.

“Nevertheless the government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows. In order to facilitate the fastest possible reopening of these types of higher-risk businesses and public places, the government will carefully phase and pilot reopenings to test their ability to adopt the new Covid-19 Secure guidelines.

“The government will also monitor carefully the effects of reopening other similar establishments elsewhere in the world, as this happens. The government will establish a series of task forces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which they can make these businesses and public places Covid-19 Secure.”

The British Horseracing Authority had hoped under its “best case scenario” planning to be back in action before the end of May, with two high-profile cards scheduled at the end of the month before the Guineas meeting at the beginning of June.

In terms of sports participation, one v one sport with someone from outside your household will be permitted from Wednesday. Team sports are not permitted, except with members of your own household.

(The Guardian)

60-Year-Old American Woman Dies Of Coronavirus During Visit To A Nigerian Lover In Delta

A 60-year-old women from the United States has died of  suspected coronavirus infection in Delta State, Nigeria.

The unidentified woman was said to have been invited to Nigeria on March 3, 2020, by a young man she met on the Internet.

She lodged into a hotel in Warri for sometime before relocating to another hotel around Orerokpe.

The 60-year-old woman died on Sunday morning, May 10, 2020, after manifesting some COVID-19 symptoms, and was subsequently rushed to a private hospital at Osubi, Orerokpe under Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, a security official attached to a police station in the local government, disclosed that the young man and the white lady had been lodged at a hotel in Osubi town since her arrival in Nigeria on March 3, 2020.

“The young man and the American white lady lodged in a hotel in Osubi where they spent some weeks.

“The white lady fell sick and she began to manifest some symptoms of COVID-19, especially severe coughing. At this stage, her lover rushed her to a private clinic in Osubi but she gave up the ghost this morning.

“Immediately she died at the hospital, her Nigerian lover carried her corpse in a Venza car to the Orerokpe Police Division and he was arrested by the police. While still at the station, a doctor was brought and took samples from the corpse for test.”

When contacted over the issue, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya, confirmed the incident.

He explained that the white lady’s corpse was brought to Orerokpe Police Station by her lover, who revealed to the police that the deceased had severe cough for about a week until she died on Sunday morning.

“While they were together for about a week, the woman was coughing and having difficulty in breathing and stooling.

“So, she was taken to a hospital on Saturday when her condition became worse and eventually died,” he said.

Onowakpoyeya said that the blood sample of the woman, that of her lover and others, who may have had contact with her, have been taken for test.

Family sues Fayemi over traditional stool crisis

Following the crisis trailing the appointment of the new Oore of Otun in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti state, a royal family has dragged Governor Kayode Fayemi to court over alleged imposition of a new monarch in the ancient town.

The stool of Oore became vacant sequel to the demise of Oba Adedapo Popoola last October.

In suit number HAD/28/2020 filed at the High Court, Ado Ekiti Division by Chief Adeleke Atolagbe of the Obajeu ruling house, the family faulted the alleged unilateral appointment made by the state in breach of tradition, customs and principle of rotation.

Joined in the suit are Governor Fayemi, the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, attorney general and justice commissioner, secretary of Moba Local Government Area, the Obanla of Otun, Chief Adeniran Odeniyi and the Head of Iyaaba ruling house, Chief Ateere Folorunso.

In the affidavit of urgency attached to the motion on notice with registration number HAD/169m/20 and deposed to by Olakanmi Falade, the aggrieved family said the government erred in law by not abiding to tradition and allow the kingmakers make inputs in the selection of a king from the appropriate royal lineage.

The claimant contended that by virtue of the principle of rotation, Obajeu was the natural choice to be considered, urging the state government to reverse its action to prevent acting ultra vires of its powers as stipulated by the Ekiti state Chieftaincy law.

He therefore, sought an order of the court nullifying all the actions taken by the government in respect of the selection made from the Iyaaba ruling house.

The claimant further sought a mandatory order compelling the first, sexond and third defendants directing the fourth defendant to announce Obajeu as the ruling house to produce the next king.

He also asked the court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from taking any further steps that can be sub -judicial until court rules on the matter.

Speaking, counsel to the claimant, Mr. Olakanmi Falade, explained that if truly it was government that directed that a new king be selected from the Iyaaba ruling House, such would be in contravention of the subsisting Ekiti state Chief Law.

“Government has no business in being a kingmaker when there are kingmakers in the town prescribed by law.

“Worst still is that the act of government supposedly directing Ile Iyaaba as the next ruling house to present a candidate for the Oore of Otun is based on a law that does not exist having been nullified by the then Ondo state High Court and affirmed by the Supreme Court .

“Government is obliged to respect the rule of law because a suit and motion on notice for injunction had already been filed and served on all parties for them to stay further action, and maintain the status quo in the interest of justice and peace,” he declared.

(Daily Times)