• Urges citizens to reclaim noble mission of Nigerian politics amid Wike’s overreach in Rivers State
By Amina Abdulkadir
In the midst of escalating tensions between former Governor Nyesom Wike and the current Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State, a veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has asked the FCT Minister to be more circumspect is he aspires to emulate the political influence of President Bola Tinubu as former Lagos State governor.
In a stirring episode of “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande,” veteran journalist Laolu Akande, in his “My Take” segment, launched a searing critique of the current political landscape in Nigeria, using the contentious dynamics in Rivers State as an example.
On the popular talk show which aired on Friday, May 17, 2024, on Channels TV, and Akande tackled the pressing issue of the degradation of political governance in Nigeria.
The power struggle, marked by political chess moves and legislative clashes, has gripped the state, with Wike’s overbearing stance against Fubara sparking much controversy.
But, as the political landscape in Rivers State remains tumultuous, Akande raised the imperative for Nigerian citizens to actively engage in reshaping the political narrative, saying, upholding the integrity of governance becomes increasingly urgent.
Akande who began his segment with a powerful assertion, said, “The Nigerian political elite seems to have lost the noble mission of political governance. Politics ought to be for the delivery of public goods and for the social and economic well-being of our people.”
He lamented the transformation of politics into an arena for personal gain and corruption, citing numerous instances of political malfeasance, from manipulated primaries to the shielding of predecessors from accountability. “The very latest of this political power-miss-road phenomenon is what is going on in Rivers State,” Akande remarked.
He criticised former governor Nyesom Wike for not allowing his successor, Sim Fubara, to assert his own authority. “Once a godson takes the oath of office, the godson has to assert himself because, after all, he is the one to be held responsible,” Akande stated emphatically.
However, he pointed out the absurdity of Fubara probing a past administration in which he was implicated: “Oh, don’t worry that the godson himself is treading on dangerous territories, seeking to probe a past in which himself was a suspect.”
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Drawing a comparison with Lagos State, Akande pointed out how former Governor Bola Tinubu managed to maintain influence without public controversy. “Many former governors, especially the most recent one in Rivers State, want to do the Lagos formula, where the man who is today the incumbent president continues to maintain influence even after he left office in 2007.
“But, do they notice any such hoopla or public outburst such as we now have in Rivers State? Did we ever hear that in Lagos State?” he questioned. “If Mr. Wike wants to be the next Tinubu in Nigeria’s politics, should he not be more circumspect?”
Beyond the critique of individual politicians, Akande highlighted broader systemic issues. He pointed to the prevalence of “godfathers and godsons gone awry,” and senators who did not participate in primaries but still found seats in parliament.
“That is why we have direct party primaries where votes are simply allocated by party apparatus with no voting in sight,” he noted, adding that indirect primaries often involve unknown delegates manipulated by powerful interests.
Akande called for citizens to reclaim the political essence of Nigeria, emphasising the need for collective action and public involvement, saying, “The people who see the need to end the rot in our system must find some level of convergence. Fighting all alone in silos will not pack the required legitimate impetus to bring change.”
He outlined practical steps for citizens, such as engaging in lawful public marches, registering to vote, joining political parties or non-partisan pressure groups, and using professional and business platforms to advocate for public interest issues.
Akande also emphasised the importance of press freedom and participation in the constitutional amendment process, saying, “Citizens must organide to recapture the political essence of this country, and recapture the soul of this country.”
He also underscored the futility of relying on current beneficiaries of systemic corruption to enact change: “Relying alone on the current beneficiaries of the systemic rot in the land to fix the country is becoming more and more a hopeless exercise. We can’t leave politics to politicians alone. All of us, the critical mass of Nigerians, we must get involved in some form of activism.”
Laolu Akande’s incisive commentary not only shed light on the troubling state of political affairs in Rivers State but also underscored the urgent need for civic engagement and reform, concluding with a personal commitment to support the move in the House of Representatives to change the system of government from presidential to a home-grown parliamentary system.
“It is important that you too find a worthy cause to lend your support to. This is one way we can reclaim the noble mission of politics in our country. We cannot do it by just sitting down and watching. We have roles to play and there you have my take for the day,” he asserted.
As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, Akande’s words serve as a rallying cry for citizens to take an active role in shaping the future of their country.
