RIVERS STATE AND POLITICS OF DESPERATION- Written By Offor Honest

Mr. honest is at it again…

In this write-up, the erudite scholar critical assessed the political situation in the oil rich Rivers state, especially the clash of supremacy between the APC & PDP; and it effect on the development of the state

Read it after the cut...

I am not an indigene of the 'treasure base of the nation' but the fact that I live and work in Port Harcourt, makes me an interested party in the affairs of Rivers State. I have observed with worry the desperation of politicians in the State and the gradual comeback of cultism and thuggery fuelled by individuals who can go to devious extents in their quest for power.

The tension in the State reached a boiling point when the 6 renegade PDP lawmakers and their APC counterparts engaged in a free for all in the hallowed chambers of the state Assembly. Thankfully, the partisan Police boss who stoked rather than douse the embers of acrimony in the state, has been transferred and since then some sort of decency has returned to the State.

The wrangling between the APC and PDP should not necessarily be a source of concern as is common in a democracy with two strong parties, but it becomes worrisome when they begin to rubbish the institutions of governance, set the ethnic groups against themselves, arm youths and politicize supposed independent institutions of democracy like the Judiciary and the Nigerian Police.

The house of Assembly has been compromised and has long ceased to be a representation of the people but an assemblage of 'yes men' doing the bidding of their god fathers. The judiciary should not be compromised or dragged into dirty politics. The impasse in the Rivers State Judiciary concerning who assumes the position as the Chief Judge is very troubling. The strike action by judiciary workers without consideration for the people whose court cases are stalled by this needless strike action, is even more troubling. It is a shame that an important arm of government is gradually being destroyed on the altar of petty politics and personal interest. The Nigerian Police which should be an apolitical law enforcement agency is finding it difficult to discharge their duties because of interference from powerful quarters.

The time is ripe for Rivers Statesmen to rise up and call back these straying politicians to the path of sanity. I am afraid that if the tension in the state continues into the 2015 election, the bloodletting that characterized the 2011 election in Akwa Ibom state, may be repeated in Rivers State. The Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and other political gladiators should not sacrifice the peace of the state on the altar of their rabid ambition.

My advice for the youths is to refrain from fighting the battle of politicians who are only interested in preserving their interest and source of income.

Rivers youths, be wise!