As Governor Siminalayi Fubara prepares for his reinstatement on September 18, political analyst and former Rivers State NUJ chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, has a clear message for him: probe the state’s Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
Speaking with Persecondnews exclusively in Abuja on Sunday, Job also challenged the authority of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to announce Fubara’s return date.
He asserted that in a just society, Ibas should be forced to account for the billions of naira the state has received over the last six months, lamenting the absence of visible projects despite the significant funds.
The media strategist expressed his fear that a clean probe would be difficult, as those who appointed Ibas would likely interfere.
The call for an investigation comes after Fubara’s suspension from office on March 18, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to mounting political tensions.
Tinubu justified his decision by accusing Fubara of failing to stop threats and attacks on oil facilities by militants allegedly sympathetic to his administration.
The President then appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator of the state for an initial six-month period.
Meanwhile, while speaking to newsmen after casting his vote during the Rivers State local government elections on Saturday, August 30, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the election as a critical step toward Fubara’s return on September 18.
According to the former Rivers Governor, this would allow the State House of Assembly to resume its legislative duties.
He said: “As far as we are concerned, this election is peaceful, people are trooping out and at the end of the day the election has been conducted successfully and peacefully.
“I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire and the state assembly will come back to their job and we will have a government at the grassroots level.
“The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, being that the state government has its representative and the local government has its representatives, so we are good to go.”
But Job in response to Wike’s statement, challenged the basis of his authority to make such a pronouncement.
He said: “We are excited for Fubara’s return, as it has been the expectation of every right-thinking Rivers person, although some individuals may have differing opinions.
“Despite our initial agitation and representations to the Presidency to rescind the emergency rule, the six-month period will officially expire on the 18th of this month.
“Many people have questioned Wike’s authority in making pronouncements about Fubara’s return, with some accusing him of being part of the issues that led to the state of emergency in Rivers State.
“If he returns as planned, it will be a joyous occasion for many, although some speculate about potential extensions and other uncertainties.”
According to Stanley, street celebrations will not occur in Rivers State until Governor Fubara officially returns.
Job explained that the populace views Wike’s pronouncements with skepticism, given his reputation for inconsistency.
Job further advised Fubara to not be swayed by any alleged threats to his second term, predicting that the governor would secure a landslide victory in a future election due to the widespread affection he enjoys among the people.
On the Rivers council polls held on August 30, Job described the event as a mere formality that holds no real significance.
He said: “Who ran against their party’s candidates? They decided to reach an agreement between themselves, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and the All Progressive Congress(APC), which they have dubbed PDAPC.
“They are preparing to switch over to APC from PDP, and they have started making arrangements by allocating 20 local governments to APC and 3 to PDP.
“In essence, there was no real election. Because Rivers people knew there would not be any genuine contest, many did not even bother to vote.
“I stayed at home throughout, and the reports I received from my observers indicated that many polling units were deserted, with voters showing little interest.
“The only notable turnout was at Wike’s polling unit, where some people likely showed up to be seen as supportive.
“The election outcome is a clear signal to Wike that he is not in control of Rivers State, as people are unhappy and uninterested in their activities.”
Persecondnews reported that the APC had emerged victorious in a landslide victory in the election, securing 20 out of the 23 LGAs.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr. Michael Odey, announced the results at the commission’s headquaters in Port Harcourt on Sunday, August 31.
It was reported that the election had a low voter turnout across most areas, despite being largely peaceful.
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