Obasanjo's Bombshell: Rivers Crisis Reveals Nigeria's Deep Political Wounds
~~ Ahman Makams
The political landscape of Nigeria is once again a tinderbox, ignited by a fiery intervention from former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His reported directive to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to effectively seize control of Rivers State, echoing the very problems plaguing the nation, underscores the profound crisis of governance gripping the country.
Obasanjo, a figure of immense historical weight, has seemingly laid bare the naked truth? "Nigeria is a lawless land", where political machinations supersede the rule of law. His stark assessment – that "everything is lawless" – is not a mere statement; it's a damning indictment of a system where political expediency routinely trumps justice.
The crisis in Rivers State, far from being an isolated incident, is a symptom of a deeply-rooted ailment. The struggle for power, the manipulation of institutions, and the blatant disregard for democratic norms are not confined to one state. This is a national pathology, a consequence of endemic corruption that permeates every level of society. From the streets to the halls of power, the same playbook is repeated – and the suffering of ordinary Nigerians continues unabated.
Obasanjo's veiled accusations against the political ambitions of Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, while arguably insightful about the power struggles playing out, are part of a much larger conversation about the very foundations of Nigerian democracy. The implication that political maneuvering is prioritizing electoral gain above the well-being of the governed is deeply disturbing.
The Rivers Assembly, embroiled in a political tug-of-war, is emblematic of a wider issue: the breakdown of institutional checks and balances. The reported calls for shutting down institutions like the NNPC and NDDC are both alarming and reflective of the extent to which political maneuvering has eroded respect for legitimate governance.
The question must be asked: will Obasanjo's intervention lead to a restoration of order, or will it further exacerbate the instability? The very fact that the former president feels compelled to step in forcefully speaks volumes about the state of Nigeria's political health.
If the judiciary, as Obasanjo suggests, is truly deficient in its fundamental sense and jurisdictions, then the very fabric of justice in Nigeria is in tatters. How can other branches of government function effectively in a system where the rule of law is so routinely violated?
The crisis in Rivers State, fueled by political opportunism and a seeming disregard for the rule of law, exposes a dangerous trend. It is a microcosm of the larger systemic issues that plague Nigeria, issues that demand urgent and comprehensive attention. Obasanjo’s blunt pronouncements serve as a stark warning: without fundamental reform across all sectors, Nigeria faces a bleak and increasingly unstable future. The fate of Rivers State, and indeed the entire nation, hangs in the balance.
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