A former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri has appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to desist from raising issues that could challenge his capacity to govern the oil rich state which is currently engulfed by political crisis.
“That Governor Sim Fubara went on Channels Television’s Politics Today and expressed dismay that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mentioned only his name when addressing the crisis in Rivers raises questions about Mr. Fubara’s capacity to govern.
“Does Governor Fubara not know that in mentioning only his name, the President is validating and recognising him as the sole custodian of the mandate of the people of Rivers and, therefore, the Chief Security Officer and person in charge of the affairs and destiny of Rivers State until 2027?
“Who else does Governor Fubara expect the President to mention? Are there more than one Governor in Rivers State? By his complaint, the Governor revealed his mindset, which is troubling. He has shown that he believes he is still under someone else’s authority or sharing authority with another person or persons.
“Mr. Fubara, you are the Governor. You are responsible for maintaining law and order in your state. And if there is a threat to law and order at the sub-national level, the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at the national level, as well as custodian of the mandate of the people of Nigeria, would, naturally, reach out to you, and only you as to how best he can help you fulfil the responsibilities you swore to perform during your swearing-in.
“It is the natural, legal and constitutional thing to do.
“And there is legal and historical precedent for this. Please fact-check me: President Obasanjo mentioned only the name of Governor Joshua Dariye when he addressed the crisis in Plateau State on Tuesday, May 18, 2004.
“In the United States, just yesterday, Monday, October 7, 2024, President Joe Biden mentioned only the name of Governor Ron DeSantis as he offered emergency help to assist the state of Florida in dealing with the situation with Hurricane Milton.
“It beggars belief that Governor Siminalayi Fubara does not understand that. That lack of clarity regarding his role and position in the state may very well be why Rivers State is in turmoil.
“Governor Fubara must develop some self-realisation very quickly. He cannot be like a child who does not yet realise his identity and looks around when their name is called as though expecting another person to answer their name.
“You are the Governor. The President accepts and understands that. Act like the Governor that you are. Do not be like a slave who has been freed yet still acts like a slave.”
