Tinubu's Move In Rivers State Could Signal Fall Of 'Godfatherism' In Nigeria –Sowore

Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, has predicted that the political crisis in Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu's alleged impunity in declaring a state of emergency and suspending elected officials could mark the beginning of the downfall of more political "godfathers" in Nigeria.

"What President Bola Tinubu did was characteristic of godfathers, who 'take absolute control of the space whenever they are granted the opportunity to do so,'" Sowore said while featuring on an Arise Television programme on godfatherism in politics with Ruth Osime.

Sowore condemned the removal of democratically elected officials in Rivers State, accusing Tinubu of not only acting as a godfather but also abusing his position as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"He's not just doing it as a godfather; he's abusing his position as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Sowore emphasised.

Sowore pointed to a conspiracy behind the situation, claiming that all arms of government are controlled by three major godfathers: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who he said influences the Nigerian judiciary; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who controls the legislative arm; and President Tinubu, who leads the executive.

"These three individuals were former governors and senators who had risen through the ranks of impunity and made it to the top, which is why Nigeria is in trouble," Sowore explained.

Sowore recalled that when Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, he had warned the then-President of Nigeria that declaring a state of emergency in Lagos would spell the end of democracy. Now, as president, Tinubu has done exactly that—exercising absolute power and daring Nigerians to challenge him.

He said, "Don't forget, this same President Tinubu, when he was Lagos State governor, promised the president of Nigeria then that if he declared a state of emergency in Lagos, that would be the end of democracy. 

“He's president now, and he has done it, and he has done it with absolute power, daring the Nigerian people to challenge him or do anything about it. 

"This is very unfortunate but as you have seen, this might as well be the beginning of the downfall of more godfathers."

When asked whether Nyesom Wike aspired to replicate Tinubu's model of political dominance, Sowore stated that their interests were the same. 

"What you must understand is that Wike, Tinubu, and Akpabio are all interested in controlling Nigeria's most lucrative states, including Rivers, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom, and that their goal is to hijack resources, silence opposing voices, and consolidate their control," Sowore explained.

Sowore described it as "state capture," a form of criminal control over the political, social, and economic landscape.

"This is referred to as state capture; that is what you're seeing. Tinubu tried it in Lagos just three weeks ago," Sowore noted.