This week, Rivers State was yet again in the news for the wrong reason as governor and godbj, Siminalayi Fubura, and his predecessor and godfather, Nyesom Wike, locked horns reportedly over control of the state. This would be a replay of the godfather-godson’s clash which the state has witnessed since the return of democracy in 1999. In Rivers, as in other states of the federation where successors tried to assume control of the state after being helped into office by their predecessors. The fight which ensured between the two big wigs saw supporters on both sides. It began with the sack of Edison Ehie, the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, and commencement of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara by 23 lawmakers led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule. It was an event once again that brought to the limelight one of the weaknesses of Nigeria’s democratic practice characterized by godfatherism. More emphatically, it points to the enduring failings of democracy in Nigeria.
Ehie was said to have incurred the wrath of his colleagues for being loyal to Governor Fubara.
