Sim Fubara Crisis: What Would Have Saved the Rivers Governor?
The recent political drama in Rivers State has left many Nigerians wondering: Could Sim Fubara have avoided his downfall? After Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement suspending the governor, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly, the public’s reaction was swift. But this situation feels eerily familiar, like an age-old fable of power and tyranny.
A Tale of Power and Pretext
Aesop’s fable about the wolf and the lamb mirrors Fubara’s predicament. The powerful always find a reason to eliminate those they perceive as weak. The wolf accused the lamb of muddying the water. When that excuse failed, he accused the lamb of past wrongdoings, then attacked regardless. Similarly, no amount of reasoning could have saved Sim Fubara. His fate was sealed from the moment he was seen as a threat.
Mkputo Dike: The Public Humiliation of Leaders
In Igbo tradition, Mkputo Dike signifies the public humiliation of a warrior. Before executing a prominent figure, those in power often break them first. History offers countless examples: Jesus, Samson, William Wallace, Saddam Hussein, and Muammar Gaddafi all faced Mkputo Dike before they were killed.
Fubara’s case follows the same pattern. The Supreme Court judgment set the stage. Denying him access to the House of Assembly complex was not just a political move; it was a deliberate act of humiliation. Na Mkputo Nwa Ogaranya ka Ogbugbu ya—the public disgrace of a leader is worse than death.
The Scripted Fall of Sim Fubara
The Sim Fubara crisis was orchestrated. The powers that be had decided his fate long before recent events unfolded. His removal was inevitable, not because of any wrongdoing, but because he was no longer useful to those who put him in power. His struggle, though noble, was always doomed to fail.
The Lessons for Nigeria
The captured chick does not cry for the hawk to spare it; it cries so the world can hear. Nigerians must speak out, even if change seems impossible. Silence enables tyranny. The Sim Fubara crisis is a reminder that when power is absolute, fairness and justice become illusions.
While we mourn Fubara’s political career, we must remember: When tyranny is the goal, facts and fairness don’t matter. The real question is, who will be next?
