GODWIN EGBA in Port Harcourt examines the position of the Rivers Conscience Initiative (RCI), a non-partisan organisation, crusading that whoever must succeed Governor Nyesom Wike must acquit self of corruption
“He who goes to equity must do so with clean hands.” This appears to be the message of The Rivers Conscience Initiative, RCI, a Rivers state based non-partisan organisation which has taken it upon itself to lead the campaign against the continued mindless looting of the state’s resources.
In an unmistakable language and without equivocation, the group is demanding that those aspiring for offices in the 2023 general election in Rivers state, must clear their names of corruption allegations, before contesting.
Alleged guber race hijack
The group in a statement released in Port Harcourt, titled “Rivers state on the Brink”, noted that “the race for 2023 has allegedly been hijacked by persons with questionable characters. This is despite the availability of many decent and patriotic Rivers sons and daughters with proven competence”.
RCI equally condemned political parties that have produced candidates of questionable reputation who are wanted by security and anti-graft agencies, as according to the group, “the humongous amount of money allegedly stolen by these persons belongs to Rivers people and all accused persons must answer for their actions”.
The group, in a statement signed by five persons including its Chairman and Secretary, Messrs Kalada Wilson and Ken Izidor, respectively, declared support for any effort to recover misappropriated state funds and prosecute persons alleged to have looted Rivers State coffers.
Other signatories to the document include Messrs Karl Chinedu, Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo and Dagogo Ezekiel-Hart.
RCI’s outburst is not unconnected with reports of two persons in the race for who becomes the next governor of the state both have allegations of corruption against them.
Backed by the powerful
The candidates were alleged to be backed by powerful political gladiators with deep pockets and influence. While one is allegedly being sponsored by one of the top most politicians in the state, the others is purportedly backed by a former Minister.
From findings, one of the frontline contestant is allegedly on the wanted list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations bordering around the State finances.
The group alleged that the second candidate is allegedly fingered to have been part of a shady deal for which his principal and sponsor, is being prosecuted by the Wike government.
However, the Rivers state government, in a desperate effort to clear the coast for it’s preferred candidate to contest next year’s election, is riding on the back of a perpetual injunction stopping the anti-graft agency from investigating Rivers state.
Candidates must clear themselves
RCI is insisting that these two candidates should clear themselves of corruption allegations before standing for next year’s general election in the state.
The group is unhappy at the state government’s alleged ambivalence in shielding their surrogates from prosecution while persecuting others.
“We deplore the present government’s ambivalence in shielding some persons from arrest by the EFCC while arraigning others. The group advises all contestants to obtain necessary clearance before seeking the mandate of Rivers people, because the people cannot accept a fugitive as governor.”
Need to cooperate with EFCC on investigation
Specifically, RCI called on Governor Wike, “to urgently cooperate with the EFCC to vacate the perpetual court injunction stopping the anti-graft agency from investigating Rivers state finances. The governor should seize the moment and show uncommon courage by leaving a worthy legacy in this regard, as this obnoxious injunction has made Rivers State an easy pick for barefaced treasury looters and robbers”.
Danger ahead
Commenting on the state of Rivers state, the group lamented that, “There is frightful danger ahead, visible enough to those who love Rivers state and care enough to look beyond narrow self-interest. Most Rivers men and women are dejected and wary about their future and that of their children.
“Institutions of state have failed and are in advanced stages of decay. An increasing number of Rivers children are out of school and are roaming the streets. Retirees are not paid their gratuities.
“Many go to bed hungry and wake up unsure of the next meal. The elderly, the weak and the vulnerable are abandoned to their fate. From 2015 until date, workers’ salaries have been stagnant, as civil servants in the state have not been promoted in spite of high inflation and rising cost of living in the state.
“Politicians loot the resources of the state brazenly. They sell off state assets to themselves and convert public property to private estates.
“They secure governorship tickets for their business partners to cover their crimes. They disrespect the traditional institutions and treat Rivers people with disdain.
“Since the birth of the Fourth Republic, Rivers state governors have been profligate with state resources in their pursuit of wasteful presidential bids. Huge amounts of state funds are gifted to other states, political parties and private individuals.
“Rivers state governors sponsor elections in other states of the federation and bankroll presidential elections. They are sought after as “beautiful brides” of Nigerian politics on account of the state resources that they share and squander so freely.
RCI lamented further that the Rivers people are the casualties of this alleged recklessness as “Huge funds that could have made enormous differences in their lives, end up in private pockets.
“The people are robbed by politicians who derive authority to manage state resources from the very people they rob.The situation is dire and unless Rivers people rise up to the occasion and put a stop to the present course of events, the future will be too bleak to imagine”.
Strange culture of silence
More pathetic and appalling is what the group described as a strange culture of silence that has descended on the state like a pall.
“Amidst the crude looting of public funds by the rulers, Rivers people are silent and aloof. They have lost their voices to poverty and the so-called stomach infrastructure. They even endorse and applaud the very rulers that have weaponized poverty against them.
“But this is the same state that produced courageous men and women like Chiefs Dappa Biriye, P.G. Warmate, GKJ Amachree, Opuogulaya, Obi Wali, E.T Dimiari, C. D. Orike, Emanuel Aguma, Napo Graham-Douglas, Ken Saro-Wiwa to mention a few.
“A strange culture of silence now pervades the land. The Governors are elevated to the status of all-knowing gods, while the people are reduced to slavish acquiescence. Leadership is deified and sycophancy is the new source of livelihood for the political elite. Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly feign dumbness.
“The traditional rulers, after series of shabby treatments by governors, have found wisdom in keeping their own counsel. The clergy concentrate on winning hungry souls”, the statement continued.
Going down memory lane, the group recalled that it was not this dire from the creation of the state.
‘Golden era’
It said, “At creation of Rivers state in 1967, even under military governors, Rivers state grew into the envy of all. The Alfred Diete-Spiff’s administration delivered excellent governance to the people. The footprints of that “Golden Era” are still visible. The magnificent state secretariat complex (that has gone into rapid decay and an eyesore under the current administration), remains an iconic reminder of the Diete-Spiff era.
“The huge investment in human capital development produced the workforce that sustained the state for decades. This was achieved under a massive scholarship scheme that is yet to be paralleled in the history of the state. Rapid industrialization created jobs and opportunities for the teeming youths.
Era of impunity
“Rivers state was a prime destination for foreign and domestic investment capital. Unfortunately, the industries that flourished in the 70s and 80s are now moribund, causing high youth unemployment and insecurity. A strange political culture had since invaded the tranquility of Rivers political landscape.
“Governance is now for politicians and their friends without the people. The culture of egalitarianism and fairness has given way to the era of impunity, greed, exclusivity and divisiveness”.
Continuing, RCI declared that “Rivers state’s annual consolidated revenue could fund the budgets of several African countries.
Resolve to break silence
Apparently irked by the disturbing silence of Rivers people in the face of alleged oppression, poverty and penury, the group called on Rivers people to speak up and take ownership of their destinies, adding that “No longer should an elected governor rule Rivers state as a serfdom”. The Rivers Conscience Initiative, RCI, has decided to pick up the gauntlet.
To the RCI as a non-partisan body, “it recognises the urgent need to sound the warning bell, speak truth to power and protect the interest of Rivers people.
“The RCI is a child of necessity. It seeks to objectively speak for Rivers people, act as an unelected parliament of the people and stand as the conscience of the people”, according to the group.
In its maiden statement, which it promises is the first of many to come, it stated: “The task is daunting but worthy”, the RCI stated, and calls on Rivers people to “step forward and join in this course, for our state and for posterity”.
