Barely five months after Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State succeeded former Governor Nyesom Wike on May 29, 2023, the supposed tense relationship between the two was brought to light in the late hours of Sunday, October 29, when the state House of Assembly’s sacred chamber caught fire in an apparent attempt to thwart the governor’s impeachment plot. By Monday am, the problem had escalated to a major point.
The House abruptly ousted Edison Ehie, the majority leader and a staunch supporter of Fubara, when it was claimed that he had thwarted an attempt to begin the impeachment process against the governor. Soon after, the governor and his supporters stormed the Assembly building to thwart the impeachment attempt, escorted by armed security personnel.
The drama that is playing out in Rivers is fascinating, but it is not very uncommon. Wike had followed a similar course with his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, his predecessor and previous employer.
Ambode vs Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been a strong force that dictates the compass of the Lagos State’s political leadership after he left office in 2007 following his two terms. He played a key role in the election of former Governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwumi Ambode, as well as present Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is serving his second term.
Ambode, however, ran into difficulty with Tinubu in the run-up to the 2019 gubernatorial election as he sought re-election. He was accused of wrongdoing by the Lagos State Governing Advisory Council (GAC), with which Tinubu was affiliated.
Ambode maintained his position. He openly criticized Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, and GAC’s selected candidate, and took part in the tumultuous primaries. Unlike Fashola, Ambode remained virtually entirely off the radar after leaving the government, owing to his estranged relationship with Tinubu.
Oshiomole vs Obaseki
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State also had a conflict with his predecessor and employer, Senator Adams Oshiomhole. The former was a prominent cabinet member in the former’s government and received his “blessing” to become governor under the All Progressives Congress in 2016.
However, the duo later clashed after the former moved to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in order to run for a second term after being barred from participating in the APC primary.
Oshiomhole, who was claimed to have orchestrated Obaseki’s disqualification in the aftermath of their running struggle, endorsed Osagie Ize-Iyamu, but Obaseki finally won.
Afro World News
