Fubara receives an emergency red card

Aristotle held a stern belief that the ideal system of governance for humanity is an absolute monarchy. Yet, he intricately wove a caveat into his argument, stating that for such a monarchy to truly be deemed the best form of government, it would require the presence of a flawless monarch—an absolutely perfect human being.

Democracy, a ruthless game we dabble into. A dicey one at all levels, fought and fraught with strife and the events as unfolded in Rivers State makes it seem as though the suspended Governor lacks the skills and the temperament to play in the Premier league of Nigerian politics. Caught in the maze of an agreement he entered into willingly, he is now learning the hard way as the street parlance goes that ‘agreement is agreement’.

In a democratic system of government, politics is a very trouble seeking venture for a politician really; cause it involves people making promises to do this and that so that they can win the people’s heart.

Men vowed to their Creator to be loyal servants and they can hardly fulfill that covenant. How much more the covenant of a democratic oath to serve the people. It’s supposed to be far simpler, way easier; but… Lo and Behold, worshipping God is in-fact the simpler task.

That it’s a game for civilians is sometimes a ruse, as despite the qualifying of it’s players by the “civilian” nomenclature, those who excel in the field of politics are actually soldiers at heart – it is by no means a coincidence that the two commanders-in-chiefs who have managed to serve their eight years in office in full since our return to democracy in 1999 are actually retired generals – the game is for warriors. A good soldier is tactful. He knows how to fight and run so that he will live to fight another day. Fubara is obviously not a good fighter. He is not a strategic one. He doesn’t know what he is doing.

Godfatherism has been a label on the gown of Nigerian politicians since the adoption of democratic rule in 1999. For example, Obasanjo imposed Yar’Adua on the Nigerian people, the Saraki dynasty in Kwara State is another textbook case of Godfatherism. Our President, BAT has ruthlessly held sway over the people of Lagos State since 1999. These are just a few of the obvious examples we’ve witnessed in recent times.

There are those who point to this aspect of our politics as one of the chief reasons for the country’s ills.

Their argument is that these Godfathers do not have the interest of the people at heart but they rather seek to satisfy their own personal interests. It would seem to the one wielding this Pen that it is an argument that seeks to blame the game for it’s poor players. Afterall it did not come into play as the result of a progressive or as some might prefer to put it – a retrogressive evolution; rather, it is a concept that has existed in our context from the very beginning. This take is A fortiori backed by the examples just cited above. Unless Fubara has now become repentant to Godfatherism seen by most as a sin; which is why he decided to take on Nyesom Wike, he should remember his origins or otherwise gently drop the mantle that another person may pick it up.

Rivers State is a prime example of Aristotle’s position on the cruciality of any leader’s qualities to the success of their administration, even if democracy may allow for some allowance in the leader’s character compared to monarchy. It may tell that it is not the game in it’s that is always the problem, but rather it is in the fielding of non-deserving players that the game is given a bad name, that the system is bastardized and that the people are governed by despots.

How sad it is for Rivers state and for Nigeria as a whole that since the current administration kicked off their mandate, chaos has been the dividend of democracy that the people of Rivers State have had to endure. At a time when even where things look to be running smoothly in the nation, the terrible economic situation of the country is not sparing anybody.

When two Elephants fight, need I complete that kindergarten rhetoric. Yet in the case of Rivers State it would seem as though it is a fight between an Elephant and a Sheep who has overestimated himself because he has been allowed to graze amongst the heavy weight of the Nigerian political jungle. This would be why he is embarrassingly punching above his weight.

Rivers state’s current woes can be attributed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s lack of strategic thinking and leadership skills. His suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, due to unmanaged crisis in the state, is a clear indication of his ineptitude.

The Red card hovered for a while amidst the political fracas especially because our President is not the sort who flies kites but takes decisive action when necessary.

Can we say he is happy to declare a State of emergency? His demeanour while making the proclamation does not suggest so, neither did his language sound like he wasn’t ready to accommodate other ways of settling what was becoming a dangerous rift for all of Nigeria. As a matter of fact he did mention that he tried his best to mediate the dispute, all to no avail.

Rivers State is crucially central to Nigeria’s economy and to not make a proactive move; like the Red card that has now been issued to Fubara would be executive negligence. Locally, the State’s House of Assembly already commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara, citing 19 allegations of misconduct, including unauthorized withdrawals, illegal expenditures, and contempt of court orders.

It is true that the Red card may not be standing on all fours with the 1999 constitution (as amended) but by the time the VAR – in this case, the Courts – interpret the relevant sections accordingly, Fubara might have already lost too much ground. That is if they will even do so.

Will he learn? The clock will tell.