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Fubara from the lenses of Sowore
By Dr jarlat Uche
Oftentimes I imagine things that crack me up. That is the power of imagination. It can be fun, when it becomes crazier.
You salivated for it for six months, only you knew your emotional pains and psychological tribulations for that period. We could at best imagine it . I could thump up my chest to affirm how regretful you were over some decisions and actions you orchestrated that escalated the crisis. That six months was more than six months. It seemed endless.
You must have realized the empty sizzling supports of the crowd that amounted to nothing when shove came to push, more like a straw in your desperate swim against Tinubu/ Wike political current.
Now you know better. I saw how excited you were, looking around and beaming with smiles as you walked around the Government House after your six months’ Tinubu imposed absence. The crowd that heralded your return, may mean well and love you, remember they were there for personal interest and wouldn’t be a cover when bullets come. Only few would, disinterested enough to stick their heads and their chest put forth to pick your arrows.
One wouldn’t know how precious a thing is until it is lost. Going back to thank the President who unconstitutionally suspended you for six months speaks volumes of your readiness to comply and sign on dotted lines to avoid a repeat.
Who wouldn’t do that? Only one with strong balls and energy would do the contrary. Some one in the depth and activism of Sawore, maybe.
Imagine Sowore as the Governor of River State. Imagine him being at dagger’ drawn with Wike. Imagine him too in suspension mood and mode . What possibly would he had done different? Gone same route of Sim Fubara? Or would have acted differently with a mien, gait and carriage, befitting of a constitutionally elected governor?
Assuming without conceding that Tinubu succeeds with the suspension, what would Sowore had done after the lifting of the suspension lid? Gone the way of Fubara? With a carriage of a son to darling father, laying down in total submission to the father’s powers, authority and might?
The truth is, Governor Fubara’ wings have been clipped. His pride, power, authority, confidence etc as a governor distilled into a purest water without the particles of self assertiveness, display of power without being afraid of the whip of suspension again.
Is he stooping to conquer or beaten into weakness and stupor? Has he unconsciously handed River State to President Tinubu and his cohort? By his actions has he validated the illegal suspension that had no constitutional backing? Paving way for other Presidents to take a cue from?
Maybe we may prop AI to do a simulation of Sowore as the Governor of River State faced with what Fubara faced in the hands of Wike and President Tinubu, to see what his reactions would be. Maybe he would act more differently from this drama of Sim Fubara.
Nigeria has actually happened to Fubara, would he regain his identity? His confidence, charisma, charm and steeze as a Governor who isn’t under any manipulations? Or has he thrown in the towel, being happy and comfortable in being just a lap-dog, once the allocation is coming every month to pilfer as much as he can before the curtain of his tenure falls?
He has been whipped terribly and the mere sight of a weak cane scares him. Has Fubara actions after the lifting of his suspension strengthened democratic values and principles or has he become just an effigy of democratic betrayal and how not to be a democratically elected governor? Or is he just a good student of “discretion is the better part of valour”, stooping to conquer?
His actions and carriage in the coming days like a hot water makes a carrot pliable would bring out who this suspension has eventually turned him into. An Executive Governor or just a lap-dog.
Jarlathuche@gmail.com