By Oby Ndukwe:
The race for the top job in Rivers State, no doubt, is one that has again put the state on the spotlight. It would be one of the fiercest battles of this political dispensation as the state has never witnessed this sort of competition between two rival political parties, the ruling APC and the opposition PDP.
The tension generated in the state as a result of the level of rivalry and threats may likely stop genuine, patriotic voters from exercising their civic responsibilities during the elections.
On the side of the APC is Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, the Opobo-Ijaw-born governorship flag bearer while on the side of the PDP, is Barrister Nyeso Wike, from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality. Though both men are of different political parties, they have one thing in common which is, that, they are both members of the strained Amaechi political family which he inherited from his former boss and political godfather, Dr. Peter Odili.
While Dakuku has been a close ally of the governor from their school days as students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, PortHarcourt, Wike’s close alliance with Amaechi dates back as far as 1998 prior to his election as the Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA. Wike’s relationship with Amaechi, who was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, became stronger as the Obio/Akpor-born politician was the defacto leader of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in the state.
During the build up to Amaechi’s primary election in 2006, both Dakuku and Wike had strongly stood by him against those opposed to his emergence. With Wike as the leader of the camp of those who fought for the restoration of Amaechi’s mandate through the courts, Dakuku was at the home front, said to be coordinating the various groups who also championed the cause. By the time the tide settled and Amaechi was sworn-in as governor, the early appointment of both Wike and Dakuku confirmed the place they occupied in Amaechi’s political struggle. While Wike opted for the position of Chief of Staff, a political appointment, though not constitutional but very powerful; Dakuku wanted the position of State Party Chairman of the PDP, another influential and powerful position, but the governor preferred an older hand in the person of Chief G.U.Ake, so he appointed Dakuku as the Commissioner for Works.
As Commissioner, even though not an Engineer, Dakuku immediately swung into action to design and construct roads around the state. This endeared him to the people especially areas where there were no access roads. He served in that office for four years before he was elevated to the House of Representatives to represent Opobo/ Nkoro/ Bonny federal constituency. Though a first time member, he became the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Sector, Downstream. These also exposed him to so much wealth to build a political structure back home. Many had benefited from state government through him by way of contracts running some times into billions of naira.
On the other hand, Wike became the political clearing house of Amaechi’s government where he amassed so much wealth through juicy contracts, called the shots and waded off perceived political enemies of the government. After four years of managing Amaechi’s political empire, Wike had built a cult-like followership around himself particularly within the Ikwerre axis of the state. Many people benefited from his supposed magnanimity though shrouded with secrecy. He used his wealth of experience in politics and applied every form of the game including betrayal, propaganda, manipulation, monetization and all sorts to wrest power from the former State Chairman of the PDP, Chief G.U. Ake.
Having been a foremost member of Amaechi’s cabinet, Wike knew the strengths and weaknesses of his former boss, so it was easy for him to challenge the governor during the face-off between the latter and the Presidency.
Probably, if Dakuku had been allowed to lead the PDP, as he so desired, it may not have been easy for Wike to dislodge the governor from the party by hijacking the structure through the courts.
Now, the two principal actors in Amaechi’s political family are in the contest to succeed the man whom they have zealously followed. For Dakuku, he hopes to leverage on the achievements of the governor while improving on those areas that constitute a clog in the wheel. His road map to prosperity which is hinged on wealth creation means that no projects started by Amaechi would be stopped or abandoned as that could amount to a waste of resources already spent on these projects.
On the hand, Wike wants to leverage on the challenges and failures of the outgoing administration of Gov. Amaechi. For him, everything the government has put in place since these eight years going should be discarded and new ones started, even though he was part of the government when those projects were decided upon and executed.
The odds favour Dakuku Peterside more so with the backing of the state governor who is believed to be a survivor, having survived several plots to remove him from office. Amaechi is upbeat and against an Ikwerre man succeeding him after eight years as that would be seen as an insurrection against people from other ethnic nationalities. The Council of traditional rulers, the Ogbakor Ikwerre which is the apex socio-cultural group of the Ikwerres, the Ikwerre Youth Movement, IYM and the Women wing, Ikwerre Women Forum, IWF have all thrown their weight behind Dakuku against one of theirs, Wike. This, they say is in line with the spirit of equity and fair play in order to give other ethnic groups the opportunity of taking a shot at the governorship position in the state.
While these groups have taken their stand, there are a few others who are strongly tied to the Ikwerre sentiments. Wike seems to have the support of the people of Obio/Akpor where he hails from. Obio/Akpor has the highest voting strength because it is home to majority of the non-indigenes in the state as well as some Riverine people who choose to reside in the city. While Wike may enjoy the support of his people, there is a likelihood that Dakuku will win the votes of the non-indigenes if the APC ensures that these people do not travel home during the elections. With the escalation of violence in the state, there is also a tendency that many will not be willing to come out to exercise their franchise. If Dakuku and his APC fail to assure the non-indigenes of their safety during the election, the votes may swing in favour of Wike here. It is not in doubt that Wike has never been comfortable with the presence of these ‘strangers’ in his place as he recently threatened the people during one of his campaigns.
Rivers state is predominantly a Christian state. While Dakuku is seen more as a choice of the church in the state, Wike does not enjoy same as the allegations of being a recruit for the Ogboni fraternity, an occult group has done severe damage to his image amongst the Christian faithful. But the role of money in politics and the church can also be an advantage for him. His ability to woo supporters with money may also give him a leverage here as some leaders of the church are prepared to exchange their faith with money when it matters.
Wike has gradually infiltrated the church with his recent appearance at Omega Power Ministry, OPM which has a large followership as well. But that may not be anything when compared to the numbers in Salvation Ministries, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Chapel, the Catholic Church, the majority of the Pentecostals and the Protestant churches who are largely behind Dakuku.
But the church again may be divided here as many prefer to support President Jonathan than General Muhammadu Buhari. This again, may be an ace for Wike who is in the same political party with Jonathan while Dakuku belongs to Buhari’s APC.
The recent arrest, maiming and killing of APC members tends to reduce the support base of Dakuku as most of the stakeholders may chicken out or go underground for fear of arrest. The security agencies in the state are allegedly in partnership with the PDP, as federal agencies are under the control of the Presidency. The militants have returned to the state after their almost eight-year exile since the inception of Amaechi’s government. Wike paid heavily to enjoy their support, and Dakuku is not known to hobnob with them. Their presence in the state also has left eligible voters frightened, as such, most of Dakuku’s supporters and admirers may never vote for him.
In Okrika and Ogu/Bolo, it is no longer news that the duo of Ateke Tom and Evans Bipi have threatened that all voters must queue behind PDP or they stand a chance of being flogged in the market place.
Though Dakuku is enjoying the larger support of Amaechi’s followers, supporters and admirers, his closest rival, Nyesom Wike has an avalanche of the big names in politics standing with him. What is not certain, is if these names are still relevant in their various constituencies to sway their people to the side of Wike. It is reported that majority of them depend largely on Wike’s huge financial war chest.
While the camp of Dakuku has not been seen to be awash with much funds, the Wike group seems to have been lucky to enjoy funds from the candidate whose wealth has been a subject for discuss in several fronts.
The APC candidate is seen by many as enjoying the support of the people based on his relationship with the governor who is still popular with the masses, the PDP candidate may have also used his smear campaign against the governor to further draw sympathy to himself, thus reducing the support base of his rival.
In this period of cash crunch, many of the electorates will be swayed by money instead of passion as was the case in other times. Wike seems to know this and has allegedly gone for a broke by selling of some his choice properties to enable him appeal to the appetite of the people.
There is no likelihood that the popular candidate of the people will win by mere support and popularity.
What may be an advantage for Dakuku is that he has not been associated with the militant groups and armed militia. Though his opponents tried to demonise him by accusing him of having been involved in cult activities some 22 years ago while a student, but the masses seem not to be interested in such negative propaganda without any concrete evidence. Many also dismiss the allegation on the grounds that most students out of peer pressure or juvenile deliquency got involved in such activities. They rather, frown at the allegations of Ogboni fraternity which is a more serious issue, leveled against Wike. Though Wike and his media team have tried hard to disabuse the minds of the voters on this, it may affect majority of the core Christian voters who are yet to be convinced.
In all, his ability to use what former Governor Odili refers to as ‘appropriate technology’ or better still ‘stomach infrastructure’ has given him an unexpected followership.
The failure of Dakuku’s propaganda machinery to realise that in war times, propaganda is a necessary tool, may inflict a deep hole in the minds of the people who are easily convinced by what is pushed out in the media.
Though with a larger chunk of formidable foot soldiers, there is no gain saying the fact that Dakuku Peterside who is tipped as a calm and peaceful governor to be may unknowingly be losing the battle to a more desperate, daring and witty Nyesom Wike.
This if not checked, means that the unlikely winner, Nyesom Wike of the PDP may be the winner in the making as a result of these errors on the part of Dakuku Peterside and his Party, the APC.
