Your Excellency,
Accept my greetings and salutations. I hope you are in good health, physically and emotionally. I know this is a very hectic period for you, but kindly permit me to offer you some advice on the ongoing squabble in your state, Rivers. I am doing this because it is the desire of so many of us that peace should reign in Rivers state, and of course, the rest of the nation.
You have been at the peak of this fantastic imbroglio for most part of your two years in office, and, as it were, you never had a respite. Finally, matters have come to a head, and it is not looking good for you. In the days and weeks, even months ahead, there will be many advisers. It is for you to be wise and choose wisely. My own pieces of advice are as follows.
You must first admit to yourself that you have handled the Rivers crisis very badly. You displayed a high level of feistiness, high handedness, authoritarian disposition and flight of reason. All of these allowed the problem to coagulate. But right now, your high horse has been skewed and you can now walk on the ground and certainly can see more clearly. Having admitted all of these to yourself, you can consciously and actively chart a way out.
Demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly was a tragic event. Something that never happened in the history of this beleaguered nation. That singular act portrayed you in very bad light and robbed you of the sympathy of many genuine patriots. That legislative institution is not about any individual or group. It represents the soul of Rivers state and its people, even when those who stream in and out of it lack the necessary finesse. My view there is that you will apologize to the people of Rivers state and seek their forgiveness.
Going forward, you have to reconcile with your enemies. And the number one figure is your former friend and boss, Mr Wike. You have to go to him. Find the courage and means to do this. Consult people he respects and let them open a channel of communication between you two. Nyesom Wike is not a gentleman, but he is not an evil man either. He is grating, coarse, petulant, loquacious, annoying and much more, but you need him now. You need him just as you needed him in 2022/23.Talk to him, apologize to him and make peace with him.
You must also seek audience with the president. Immediately. Approach him as a father. Do this with humility and genuine contrition. Apologize for not heeding his earlier advice and directives. He is not just the Commander in Chief, he is Wike’s employer. If Wike fails to listen to anyone else, he will listen to the president. Make concessions where necessary and give promises where required. You stoop to win even if you don’t have to conquer.
The issue at hand is a political issue. And it must have a political solution. It not a judicial matter. It is not about ethnic considerations and so on. It is not an Ijaw-Ikwerre affair. No. Please note that creating anarchy or making Rivers state ungovernable will not restore you to office. Make no mistake about that. This impasse is purely political and it must be addressed politically. Do not allow anyone to shed blood on your behalf.
It is no longer time to take advice from those who have scores to settle with Wike and Tinubu. The counsel of Ahithofel with which they have held you hostage has failed. And it will not work at any time. Let those people fight their own battles, but don’t allow yourself to be used as a cannon fodder anymore. Those disgruntled politicians you see running around are not interested in you. They are working to feather their own political nests.
Now this – the social media is awash with all manner of interlopers – analysts, theoreticians, legal luminaries, authorities in constitutional interpretations, experts in everything and, in a nutshell, all manner of hoodlums. Most of them do not know what they are talking about. They are noise makers and nothing more. Do not allow their ignorant display to give you a false sense of security. In a nutshell, they have nothing to offer you.
Your Excellency, your job is at stake and it is time to be wise. I will repeat, Sir – do not be swayed by social media legal experts and know alls, who keep screaming obscenities just to fill the space. The social media did not make you Governor and it cannot reinstate you back to office. Their noise has limits and it fizzles out ‘when the jungle matures..’
I meant this to be a brief letter, Sir, and I hope it helps you find the way to approach and deal with the situation at hand. I apologize if some of the words sound harsh, but I believe a spade must be called by its proper name. If gratitude is a debt you owe, then it is one duty must demand that you pay.
While praying for God’s blessings and guidance upon you, accept the assurance of my very warm regards.