'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, the National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), has taken a swipe at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, following the latter's reported loss of political influence in Rivers State. Nwanyanwu, speaking at a press briefing, criticized the actions of certain political players attempting to halt the Rivers State local government elections, mocking their efforts to maintain a "structure" that, in his view, has failed.
During a question-and-answer session, Nwanyanwu was asked about his party’s plan if the Rivers State local government elections, scheduled for Saturday, were postponed. He expressed outrage, stating that any delay would lead to legal action. According to him, his party and others had spent significant amounts of money and time on the campaign trail, and attempts to disrupt the elections were against the law.
Nwanyanwu asserted, "We have been on the streets campaigning in Rivers for months. Now, someone due to their selfish ambition wants to stop the election. Judges who issue these injunctions—are they not aware of the law? SIEC (State Independent Electoral Commission) must not give us any excuses; they will face litigation, and we will demand compensation."
He expressed confidence that those opposing the elections were destined to lose because their political "structure" had collapsed. He drew an analogy from his own party leadership, emphasizing that loyalty lies with the institution, not individuals.
The tension between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the current Rivers State Governor Similaye Fubara has been escalating since the latter assumed office in May 2023. Wike, who had handpicked Fubara as his successor during his tenure as Rivers Governor, reportedly expected continued influence over the state's affairs. However, Fubara's administration has shown signs of independence, resisting Wike's overreach. This power struggle came to a head when Fubara sidelined key loyalists of Wike, signaling his intention to assert control over the Rivers political landscape. Wike’s influence is seen as waning, and his political grip on the state appears to be slipping, as evidenced by recent moves by factions aligned with Fubara to challenge Wike's loyalists in the local government elections.
Addressing reports that the Rivers State SIEC office had been sealed by security operatives, Nwanyanwu dismissed the claims, stating that the local government had merely acted on security intelligence about a potential bomb threat. He stressed that the role of security forces should be protective, not obstructive.
"The state government got a security report that there was a plan to bomb the place, just like what happened to another political party. Security can't seal the office—they have no power to do so," Nwanyanwu said. He added that security forces must ensure the safety of the election commission, not hinder its operations.
One of the core issues discussed during the press conference was the legal challenge surrounding the Rivers State elections. Nwanyanwu explained that some factions had gone to court, arguing that sufficient notice for the election was not given, despite the fact that his party had received notice months prior. He criticized those attempting to block the elections, suggesting they were only doing so because they knew they couldn’t win.
"The law is clear: no one can stop an election from holding. If you have a case, the election will proceed, and if the court finds in your favor later, they can reverse the result, just like in the case of Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi," Nwanyanwu added, referencing past high-profile legal battles in Nigerian politics.
In a sharp critique of the judiciary, Nwanyanwu condemned what he called "black market injunctions" issued by judges in favor of politicians who could afford them. He urged the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to act decisively in cleaning up the judiciary, particularly targeting those who facilitate questionable court decisions for personal gain.
"The lower courts have become an enterprise where the highest bidder gets a judgment. Even where the Supreme Court has ruled on a matter, some lower courts still deviate. This practice is embarrassing, and it's time the CJN flushes out the bad eggs in the judiciary," Nwanyanwu stated.
He urged the CJN to remain firm in her stance on judicial corruption and ensure that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, adding, "If democracy collapses in this country, the judiciary will be the greatest part of the problem."
Nwanyanwu concluded by advising the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to proceed with the elections, insisting that the conflicting court orders cancel each other out, and there is no legitimate basis for stopping the elections.
"They should go ahead with the elections on Saturday without fear. The law is on their side," he said, expressing hope that the judiciary would return to being a beacon of hope for Nigerians.
This latest development underscores the ongoing political drama in Rivers State and the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s judiciary as it grapples with issues of integrity, influence, and independence. Nwanyanwu's remarks reflect a growing frustration with the judiciary’s role in political affairs, particularly as it relates to elections.
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