Wike vs Fubara Drama: Tinubu/Ambode, Other Politicians Who Have Challenged Their Godfathers
The political crisis in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has further exposed the challenges governors face with their predecessors and godfathers.
Source: Facebook
It has become a norm in Nigerian politics for incumbent governors to fall out with their godfathers believed to have played key roles in their emergence.
Only a few would have predicted things would go sour between the former governor of Rivers state and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and his preferred successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Barely five months after Fubara took over from Wike on Monday, May 29, the alleged strained relationship between the duo was in the full glare of the public on Sunday night, October 29.
This is as the hallowed chamber of the state House of Assembly was set ablaze in a reported move to thwart an impeachment plot against Governor Fubara.
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The crisis then became full-blown by Monday morning, October 30, as the governor stormed the Assembly and confirmed the development as well as raised the alarm of a threat to his life even by security agencies.
Let's look at some former governors who also parted ways with their predecessors.
Rabiu Kwankwaso vs Abdullahi Ganduje
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For many years, the former governor of Kano state and flagbearer of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 presidential election, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, was in the good books of his successor, ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje, now chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ganduje was twice deputy governor to Kwankwaso from 1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015. Between 2003 and 2007, when Kwankwako was minister of defence, Ganduje worked closely with him as their relationship grew stronger.
But things fell apart between them shortly after Ganduje assumed office in 2015 and sent his list of cabinet members to the state House of Assembly for confirmation. Many of Kwankwaso's loyalists complained bitterly that Ganduje shut them out. Since then, both men have been on a war path.
Bola Tinubu vs Akinwunmi Ambode
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Since he left office as the Lagos governor in 2007, after serving two terms and handing over power to Babatunde Raji Fashola, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has become a formidable force determining the compass of the state's political leadership.
Things went sour between former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Tinubu in the buildup to the 2019 governorship poll when he sought to be re-elected. He was said to have wronged the party leadership, which Tinubu aligned with.
Ambode was almost completely out of the radar in the scheme of things after he left office due to his severed relationship with Tinubu.
However, Tinubu installed a total of ten governors in Lagos: he did not install Akeredolu, but he anointed him.
Of the ten governors he installed and the eleventh he anointed, none of them turned against him except Ambode, and after he unseated Ambode, they later reconciled.
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole vs Godwin Obaseki
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Meanwhile, Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, also disagreed with his predecessor and political boss, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Obaseki was a key cabinet member of the Oshiomhole-led government and had his "blessings" to emerge as Edo governor in 2016 under the APC.
However, Obaseki and Oshiomhole had a fallout following his defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an attempt to achieve his second term bid after he was disqualified from participating in the APC primaries.
Oshiomhole was said to have masterminded Obaseki's disqualification following their running battle, backed by Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Obaseki eventually won, and PDP became the ruling party in Edo state.
Peter Odili vs Rotimi Amaechi
Former governor of Rivers state, Dr. Peter Odili, in 2014, said that he regretted working for Governor Rotimi Amaechi to emerge governor of the state.
He alleged that Amaechi dismantled structures that the founding fathers of the PDP had in the state when he assumed office.
Amaechi was the governor between 2007 and 2015. He was a strong ally and a political godson to Odili.
Odili, who regretted supporting Amaechi for governor, said:
"With all the best intentions, we supported his political career and ambition. We thought we did what was best for the state. One thing is clear, we have accepted our mistake and we are determined to correct it in 2015."
This move by Amaechi birthed the romance between Wike and Odili, leading to his emergence as Rivers governor.
Lawmakers elect new Speaker in Rivers state, Fubara reacts
Meanwhile, members of the Rivers House of Assembly loyal to the embattled state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, elected a new speaker, Ehie Edison.
Edison, who was earlier suspended as the majority leader of the House by the anti-Fubara lawmakers, was elected the speaker after a sitting held in Government House.
About 26 members of the House suspended the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaehwule and elected Edison in his place. The number of pro-Simi Fubara lawmakers increased to 26 after some realigned from the earlier 24 that wanted to impeach him.
Source: Legit.ng
