I have watched with restrained anger the ongoing tactics within the Rivers State APC by some desperate politicians to set the narratives and the agenda that should determine the 2019 governorship ticket in favour of their preferred candidate.

In pursuing their selfish agenda, these APC members have adopted the same "strongman- image" that Barrister Nyesom Wike introduced into the body politic of Rivers State in 2013 (two years before the 2015 elections) that projected him as the "high tension" and the only man that can deliver victory to the PDP. With this satanic narrative, Wike upturned the polity, created violence that consumed hundreds of innocent souls and finally succeeded in thwarting the zoning principle and abusing the sensibilities of Rivers people. By this "strongman-tactics" Wike an Ikwerre man, succeeded in succeeding his fellow Ikwerre man in a multi-ethnic Rivers State. Rivers State has not known peace thence.

Now in 2017 (two years to the 2019 governorship election), some APC members are advocating with unrestrained vehemence the same "strongman image" in order to once again discard the zoning principle after 20 years of upland rule. Already we are beginning to see a replay of all the crisis that was orchestrated during the 2013-2015 debacle.

It was Sir Walter Scott that said "what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive".

The "strongman" "high tension" narrative that is being adopted by some APC members shall be resisted this time with all that is required. Politics shouldn't be a battlefield where punches and gunshots are exchanged but where ideas that guarantee the progress and wellbeing of the people are espoused. Why must politicians "kill all the people just to save their souls" (apologies Bob Marley). Our Lord Jesus Christ did the opposite by giving his life as a ransom to mankind.

Must a party be destroyed because of one man's ambition? In any case history is replete with the brave and heroic deeds of nations and peoples of Rivers State which are verifiable. Most recent events in Rivers State also indicate that no section of the state lacks these so-called strongmen who despoil the polity.

No wonder Okonette Ekanem says that, "it is the ease with which public wealth is accessed when one is at the apex of legislative and executive political structures at all tiers of government that makes political contests so uncompromising and combatively destructive".

We cannot all be mad at the same time but let it be said that while we watch events as they unfold in the Rivers APC, we shall insist at the right and proper time and with all the powers that we can muster, that the party retains and respects the upland/riverine zoning formula it adopted in 2015. No amount of strong arm tactics should sway the party from this path of rectitude.

Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo
APC stalwart (Akulga).

APC and Rivers state political drama...

They must look for a way to include wike and the PDP for their stupidity

Are Ogoni upland or riverine?

otokx:
Are Ogoni upland or riverine?

upland

Interesting but last I checked no Ogoni man has ruled Rivers State before so they should be allowed to have a chance to battle Wike with the clause that if they loose, next time some other riverine person will take the chance.

You are even more dangerous, why use Wike as an example in an APC's problem

The APC in rivers state is self destructive on its own steam