Nigerians are stunned to the bones about the near three-years of political genocide in River state. Port Harcourt, the once boisterous Garden City and commercial hub of the Niger Delta has been magically transformed into a nightmarish killing field overnight.

What has puzzled and continued to confound even the most critical analytical minds is failure of all stakeholders on the saddle to abate the state of anarchy in Rivers, now comically, but seriously, referred to as “Rivers of blood.” Security agencies, state and federal governments, INEC, politicians, academics, businessmen, traditional rulers, communities, NGOs and a lot more have been held spell bound by Rivers anarchic configuration currently.

What have replaced the solemnity of life and essence of existence in the once enviable state, reputed as the second wealthiest state in Nigeria after Lagos are killings, cultic gangsterism, arson, abductions and worse still, a devilry struggle for the control of the political soul of the oil-rich state.

Fear has replaced courage; courageousness leads to death; prayers in shrines have replaced the cherished prayers in churches on bended kneels, its like an enclave of Lucifer; brothers and sisters plot and mindlessly kill themselves in the most brazen manner. Nothing can be so debasing and awesome than the portrait of Rivers at the moment.

Much as a reasonable proportion of humanity knows what has besieged the fate of Rivers, a lot more Nigerians can only boast of scanty details of the scandalous fireworks in the state. But the truth remains that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s disapproval of the election of the immediate past governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi (then of the PDP) as chairman of the Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF) in preference for former Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang laid the template for this blossoming violence and massacre of fraternal brothers.

Amaechi’s insistence that he democratically won the election and would not opt for the “arrangee” posture of the Jonathan- led PDP pitted him against his party and former President Jonathan. The events that followed were not just scary, but worrisome.
But factually, the satanic desire of Jonathan to unseat Amaechi saw a willing ally in Barrister Nyesom Wike, then Minister of state for Education and now Rivers state governor. While it is not necessary to recount in full blast, events of that period, its important to emphasize that an ambitious Wike, eying the governorship seat of the state in 2015 perceived the presidential back-up a strong weapon to uproot Amaechi, his former boss. The stage for political violence was decorated and baptized under this atmosphere.

Not given to pretenses, Wike with presidential security backing launched his electoral onslaught on Rivers state, first as a PDP guber aspirant. He had 15 other rivals contending for the party’s governorship ticket. The first sign of Wike meanness was that he practically chased all other rival contestants for the party’s ticket at the venue of the party primary in Port Harcourt.

May be, he dreaded fair competition. So, he concretized his action by cornering and compelling officials drafted for the exercise to obey a drummed presidential order by declaring him winner of a party primary election that obviously never held.

They obliged nervously. And when Wike’s opponent wailed too loud, a reconciliation meeting was convened in Abuja at Legacy House, President Jonathan’s campaign headquarters. Again, Wike invaded the venue and chased away his rivals who sought for amicable solution to the crisis and indeed, everybody at sight, who dared him. Yet, nothing happened. He flew the party’s governorship flag triumphantly.

Meanwhile, Amaechi, now Nigeria’s minister of Transport, who vowed that Wike cannot succeed him, floated a House of Reps member, Dr. Dakuku Peterside on the platform of the APC to face Wike. They understand his Gestapo style of politics.

All these events were heralded by scary acts of violence and killings sequel to the 2015 general elections, to the extent that voters were intimidated in their homes, offices, streets or roads and in public places. It laid a solid template for the face of the election. And Niger Delta famed for militancy and cultic gangs, youths found ready jobs to execute against enemies of the payer.

Consequently, governorship election in Rivers state was in every sense of the word, a theatre of war, to the extent the then out-going governor Amaechi could not even vote in his own polling unit. Election casualties evident in the number of persons killed, wounded or kidnapped alarmed every Nigerian and election observers of any hue.

Yet, Wike triumphed again. INEC declared him winner and when he finally secured his victory at the Supreme Court, which voided the decisions of the two lower court which nullified Wike’s election, the only language known to Wike and his cohorts was the Machiavellian, justice of the end justifying the means.

No doubt, hence bloodletting and barefaced intimidation of the electorate is another pattern of legalized democracy in Nigeria, exemplified in Rivers state, it railroaded itself into the March legislative elections in the state more noxiously. It recorded an unprecedented level of violence, with Wike as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

Days to the legislative re-run elections, Wike strongly admonished PDP supporters to resist any attempt by security agents to arrest them. As if this was not unlawful enough, governor Wike again shamelessly assailed Nigerians verbally that those drafted to perform the Rivers legislative re-run election should “ write their will,” a despicable statement he later recanted belatedly by explaining that he referred to those with the evil intention of manipulating the elections. No level of executive recklessness can be so provoking. He ironically got emboldened and furiously defended PDP supporters and the party, in a manner that never really exonerated them. But Nigerians watched and clapped.

But the question remains this: Wike is not just the Chief Security Officer of the state, but also a lawyer by training. It implies that he knows the letter of the law beyond the comprehension of a street urchin.

Assuming APC supporters were presumed to be on the offensive in thwarting the electoral process, summary execution of them is lawful, as Wike seems to prescribe or canvass? The result of his pronouncement is the wantom killings and all manner of infamy the re-run election despoiled Nigeria’s democracy and Rivers serenity. No end in sight yet for the Rivers drama.

Now true to the Nigerian character, the brigands have taken over streets, roads, public places and even private homes of indigenes of the state, with withheld results of the re-run. The people are now so scared to the extent, to say normal business in all spheres of existence in that state is brazenly abused is grossly under expressing the Rivers narrative.

Those pulling the strings may not necessarily be just the two- the PDP and the APC, symbolized by the eggheads, Wike and Amaechi or even Dakuku. But Wike boasts with full breath that Rivers is PDP and nobody can wrestle Rivers away from PDP, but forgets easily that the onus lies on him to protect lives and property of inhabitants of the state regardless of party affiliations.

Today, Nigerians mourn the death of other Nigerians in Rivers state, the most pathetic being that of an NYSC member and INEC ad-hoc staff, Okonta Samuel, shot to death in cold blood because Wike has failed to protect him, based on his deadly conviction that Rivers is a PDP property.
Nigerians are asking this crucial question, where would Rivers be or what would be the face of Rivers after Governor Wike. No one should forget that there is a pending council elections in the same state some few months ahead and another governorship election in the next three years. So, would there be a soul to cast a vote anymore, with Wike on the saddle?

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/04/09/where-will-rivers-be-after-wike-by-abdul-suleiman/

Credit : Abdul Suleiman

@dustbin,conga or Oxl for sale.

With the way things are going, Wike and a very few supporters of his will be the onez left in Rivers if he chooses to contest after this tenure.

You are not in Rivers otherwise you would know and tell the truth!!! You are so so blind to where Nigerians are killed daily by herdsmen but you choose to discuss what you lack significant knowledge on..... Please keep quiet and stop telling lies to Nigerian like your Father (APC).

Rivers state has chosen a government that is working and will choose another good government in 2019...

It's time Nigerians cared about where they stay or work or travel-to rather than soliciting for votes in other places as though it's football game .

it's all about what a People want.....RIVERS wants PDP and so stop all these false calculations!! Your blame games should cease immediately....Haba!

RIVERS STATE ADOY OKAY!!! it means RIVERS STATE IS OKAY and will continue to grow....Period!!!

midolian:
With the way things are going, Wike and a very few supporters will be the ones left in Rivers if he chooses to contest after this tenure. The guy is too blood thirsty

hmm because he didn't allow you t rig hm out baa? You think everyone will be like Jonathan.The likes of Wike and Fayose are the antidote that the APC needs at this moment.If you know say your mama born you well come and rig election in Rivers let us see.

BTW Buhari is the one in charge of security and not Wike.The state Governor does not have any control over the police and army.At least that was what you APC folks told us about the situation in the NE during GEJ's time

cktheluckyman:


hmm because he didn't allow you t rig hm out baa? You think everyone will be like Jonathan.The likes of Wike and Fayose are the antidote that the APC needs at this moment.If you know say your mama born you well come and rig election in Rivers let us see.

BTW Buhari is the one in charge of security and not Wike.The state Governor does not have any control over the police and army.At least that was what you APC folks told us about the situation in the NE during GEJ's time

you ll agree with me that blood flows more in Rivers than water..No thanks to the Wicked one

Answer; Only the Almighty knows.

APC propagandanists should leave wike and Rivers alone, they should stop this dumb write ups because no one is buying it.
Rivers iz PDP, but amaechi want to force Apc on them which they rejected.
Everybody will not be in the same party.

Rivers will flow to Atlantic Ocean

Abdul Suleiman,the writer of this piece was so unfair to himself and the true reality of events in Rivers State.He was writing this piece to suite his intent of deception,lies,deceits and distortion of informations.
Presently in Rivers State,everybody is happy they choose Wike as their governor and no body is regreting their choice.presently,Rivers state is peaceful,everybody is going about their daily activities without fear.Any other social vices happening in the state is as a result of the current economic hardship in the country Cause by the APc government at the center. spare yourself the pain of writing this rubbish.
Dating back the insecurity in Rivers state with Amaechi inability to secure chairman of Nigeria Governors forum is something born out of figment of your imagination.Telling us wike gangster himself into winning PDP governorship primaries in 2015 is a blantant lie cause their was election and Wike won the election and the reconciliation process was a success,that is why the political juganaut in the state are supporting him.2015 generation election was won by Wike,supreme court subsequently upheld his election.To back up his presence in grassroot politics in the state,the rerun election was a confirmation
Wike is the chief security officer of the state,yes but the consistent change in the CPs and DG of DSS,the side taking of the military in intimidating,molesting of Rivers indigenes IS contributing factor to the unrest in few parts of the state.As a reminder,Wike never said people coming to do election in Rivers state should write their will rather people coming to rigged election in the state should write their will.Stop distorting information Suleiman.
Finally Suleiman as a reflection to 2011 post election violence,more corp members were killed owing to one man inciting statement than Rivers state election. So what is the fuss about the regretted death of Samuel Okonta.Bury yourself in shame and stop this deceitful and deceptful article.Rivers is PDP and PDP is Rivers.