Rivers people wittingly or not, revealed their desires and expectations through their June 12 messages. Those who detested the state of emergency or the ousting of the state governor showed their hands by appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate Sim Fubara.
Those who support the ouster of Fubara did not mention return of democracy in the state in their messages, but either threw up other matters or called for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement titled ‘Upholding Democracy, Good Governance, and Accountability: A Call to Action on Nigeria’s Democracy Day’, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), emphasized the need to protect and promote democracy, human rights, and good governance, while strengthening the fight against corruption in our country.
“Corruption remains a significant obstacle to Nigeria’s development, and we call on the government to redouble its efforts in the fight against corruption. We urge citizens to hold leaders accountable and demand transparency in governance.
YEAC drew attention to the situation in Rivers State, where a state of emergency was recently declared. “We call on President Tinubu to lift this declaration and restore democratic structures in Rivers State. The declaration undermines the democratic process and the will of the people.”
Read also: Rivers N1.48trn 2025 spending plan: Budget of hope for Sim Fubara, lawmakers
In his own message, Paulinus Nsirim, Executive Director, De Gratia Centre for Media Rights and Education, showed concern for accountability in leadership and called on media practitioners to hold them accountable.
Nsirim stated that even though Nigeria has recorded 26 years of unbroken democratic rule, that there is the urgent need to build strong institutions.
“Media practitioners owe this nation the responsibility to ensure that our leaders do not continue the trajectory of corruption and rudderless leadership.
“We have come to a point in our country when our leadership recruitment process must be interrogated to pave way for patriotic Nigerians to occupy key positions.
“A nation blessed with abundant natural and human resources should not be grappling with the kind of economic woes we are experiencing today.”
Nsirim insisted that media practitioners as agenda setters must begin to use their various platforms to propagate values that will engender a better Nigeria. “Those who are privileged to hold leadership positions must hold them as a sacred trust for the people.
“We cannot continue to promote primitive accumulation of wealth while important sectors of the economy continue to suffer,” he stated.
Nsirim also noted that Nigeria has what it takes to be an economically vibrant nation if those in authority are held accountable at all times.
On his own, Fubara, who has received massive support in his travails, seemed to know that the day may not bring him back to seat of power in Port Harcourt. He seemed to shrug off the expected failure but seemed to focus on the people and their resilience.
Fubara restated his strong commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental human rights, and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, can actively participate in the democratic process.
He also emphasized his administration’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property through robust security strategies. He pledged to continue defending the state’s interests and to maintain a government that values inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
As if letting the people know that this is time for cooperating with former opponents, Fubara called for collaboration across political divides to build a society where every citizen is heard, supported to achieve their potential, and encouraged to contribute to collective progress.
He acknowledged the recent political turbulence in Rivers State, which disrupted democratic governance, noting that it served as a reminder of how delicate democracy can be. He stressed that democracy must be actively protected and nurtured in order to remain strong and meaningful.
The war chest against Fubara in the state seems to be led by Tony Okocha, a Nyesom Wike loyalists and point man in the state, who is also the Rivers State Representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Okocha, who extended felicitations to the ‘resilient people of Rivers State,’ commended the efforts of President Tinubu in his developmental strides within just two year and for his commitment towards recalibrating and transforming the economy of Nigeria for the greater good of Nigeria with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Okocha said: “I understand the temporary inconveniences experienced by our people in the process of ushering in a new dawn of economic recovery and stability by the government of President Tinubu as the process of changing a bad situation is always not an easy one.
“The futuristic economic policies and programmes of the government remain the hope upon which our confidence in a better tomorrow is hinged on.”
He appealed for patience, understanding, and continuous support for the Tinubu administration who he said shares in the short-term discomfort occasioned by the sustainable sectoral reforms in our economy.
With the failure to bring Fubara back to power, the state seemed to move on sullenly while a section seemed to rejoice in their inner recesses.
