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| Nyesom Wike & Sim Fubara. |
Since his surface in the Rivers State polity, throwing his hat into the ring as a worthy flagbearer for the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 11 governorship election in the state, Siminialayi Fubara has brought a lot of dynamics and intrigue to Rivers state's local politics.
Fubara has received
endorsements from a number of stakeholders in the state and even from beyond,
including powerful traditional rulers, state government officials, and business
moguls.
His growing popularity is
also evident in the fact that he has been featured in several media outlets,
both local and international.
It is a given that there are
numerous interests within the party that have a vested interest in who becomes
the next governor after the tenure expiration of the incumbent.
However, in what played out
like pulling an ace, Governor Nyesom Wike seems to find Sim Fubara his worthy
successor. With the backing of the party's leadership, Governor Wike's
endorsement of Fubara was seen as a way of consolidating the party's power base
and ensuring that the succession would go as planned.
Governor Wike's endorsement
of Fubara was a strategic move, as it would help the party maintain its power
even after his tenure ends.
It would also ensure that
the party's succession plan would be followed without any disruption.
Originally from Opobo Town,
a small town in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers
State, Fubara's hometown was proud of him and his accomplishments and
wanted to show their support by being the first to back his campaign.
They saw the potential of
the impact he could have on the community and wanted to be the first to show
their support.
His pleasant personality and
ability to relate to people across different backgrounds have made him a
popular figure among people at the party, and his good
reputation has helped to attract more members to the party. He has also
managed to stay out of any political drama or disagreements, which has enabled
him to remain on good terms with all members of the party.
On November 8, a poll
commissioned by Atedo Peterside-led ANAP Foundation and conducted by NOI Polls
had predicted that Siminalayi Fubara of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has
an advantage over others in the opposition.
Despite his grassroots
political exploits and his calm disposition, he was an unknown persona in
Rivers polity, little wonder Chief Morgan West took him to court on the grounds
that he was not a member of the party but failed to prove his claims.
The poll revealed a
significantly close race between Fubara and Tonye Cole of the APC, with Magnus
Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dumo Owukori Lulu-Briggs of the
Accord Party (A) emerging as outsiders in that order.
Between November 2022 and
February 2023, the race is almost decided given the pole gulf already created
between Fubara and others.
Fubara who polled 721 votes
to beat the other 16 governorship aspirants who contested for the primary
election, as a unifier had sealed up his friendship with most party chieftains,
thereby opening up the floodgates of winning supporters and gaining more
grounds within the polity.
Again, his popularity has
gained so much grounds that the All Progressives Congress guber candidate is
now begging for an encounter to see if his effort can rub off on the frontline
governorship candidate of PDP
As every dick and harry
occupies the political space in Rivers State, the time of separating the
contenders from the pretenders has drawn nigh. While the air is already
bustling with noises of jokes and promises of Eldorado, Rivers people already
know who fits into their search for sustainability.
Nigeria’s polity has fast
changing as people care less about flowering words and empty promises coming
from, sometimes, most irresponsible and unresponsive and nonchalant desperate
politicians.
As it stands today in Rivers
State, the political family led by Governor Nyesom Wike that threw up Fubara
has left no one in doubt that it was ready for governance and to wipe away
developmental deficits in the State. Today, visiting Rivers state has become a
dream of every Nigerian. One visit gets you hooked. Infuriating traffic is gone
with over 15 flyovers and most forgotten roads recovered.
At a time when most states
in Nigeria are facing one security challenge or the other, the Wike led
government has been able to keep the state safe and free from any sort of
hooliganism. Those who came to court for trouble were chased very far away from
the boundaries of the state.
For empowerment, the State
has empowered more Riveriens than ever, creating opportunities for the youths,
women and the aged, Of course health is one of the major indices of measuring
development, Rivers State government has made a statement in this area,
In rural development, there
is hardly any local government and communities that have not had its major
roads and economically viable ones paved by notable construction firms with
high standards.
The Elders of the State are
happy and the youths are full of hope while the women can now happily give in
for babies.
In all these feats under
Wike’s administration, one thing about it is that Fubara played vital and
strategic roles in all. He understands the intricacies of governance, interest
aggregation and harmonization.
Meanwhile, he is a seasoned
Accountant, astute administrator and obstinate expert in negotiations.
In the heat of the campaigns,
there have been harvests of new converts and new supporters for Fubara.
A little reference to the
main opposition is rather appalling with the total slide in their ratings from
the federal governments to the states. While parties have their internal
wrangling, All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to have betrayed the trust of
Nigerians.
Tonye Cole who was second in
November pole is far behind while others have lost their voices as there is
nothing in their sleeves to campaign with their almost crowning Fubara
unopposed.
With these developments, the
odds favour Siminalayi Fubara and in the next three weeks, he would predictably
coast home with victory for the Peoples Democratic Party.
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