Battle for Olympus(Crises in Rivers State People's Democratic Party, Nigeria)
BATTLE FOR OLYMPUS
“Olympus was not shaken by winds nor ever wet with rain, nor did snow fall upon it but the air is outspread clear and clouds and over it hovered a radiant whiteness”
With these words, Homer described the overwhelming nature of the mount Olympus. It was the dwelling place of victors and champions, a home for the Olympians. A place for the most powerful.
In Rivers politics, there is no inkling of a doubt as to where the most powerful converge.
The People’s Democratic Party has been the seat of power and virtually every significant political process in the state. The PDP has been our “Olympus” in Rivers State.
Just like Olympus in Greek mythology, many have tried to wrest power from it, attacking with every means but the party has remained strong and domineering.
But now, Olympus faces a “rift” that if not quelled will shake it very foundations.
The beginning of this rift is known only by the actors themselves yet its flames are seen even as far as Abuja. The ‘rift’ is that between RT Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (Governor, Rivers State and Chairman NGF) and Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike (Minister of State for Education FGN).
Though it is widely acclaimed that the minister is no match for the Governor (no match ‘yet’ I will add), it is important to see how they came to where they are and the stuff that makes them who they are.
SIMILARITIES
COURTS – The Federal High Court verdict of April 15,2013 delivered by Justice Ishaq Bello is not the first court case to be connected with the two. As a matter of fact, their first encounters in this present democratic structure were decided by courts.
It is acclaimed that Nyesom Wike lost in the PDP primaries for Obio/Akpor LGA Chairmanship in 1999, went to court and was adjudged the rightful winner.
While his court victory played out, a certain Rotimi Amaechi scored a career defining court victory over his rival Uche Okuku for the Ikwerre LGA seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
They were both
“Olympus was not shaken by winds nor ever wet with rain, nor did snow fall upon it but the air is outspread clear and clouds and over it hovered a radiant whiteness”
With these words, Homer described the overwhelming nature of the mount Olympus. It was the dwelling place of victors and champions, a home for the Olympians. A place for the most powerful.
In Rivers politics, there is no inkling of a doubt as to where the most powerful converge.
The People’s Democratic Party has been the seat of power and virtually every significant political process in the state. The PDP has been our “Olympus” in Rivers State.
Just like Olympus in Greek mythology, many have tried to wrest power from it, attacking with every means but the party has remained strong and domineering.
But now, Olympus faces a “rift” that if not quelled will shake it very foundations.
The beginning of this rift is known only by the actors themselves yet its flames are seen even as far as Abuja. The ‘rift’ is that between RT Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (Governor, Rivers State and Chairman NGF) and Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike (Minister of State for Education FGN).
Though it is widely acclaimed that the minister is no match for the Governor (no match ‘yet’ I will add), it is important to see how they came to where they are and the stuff that makes them who they are.
SIMILARITIES
COURTS – The Federal High Court verdict of April 15,2013 delivered by Justice Ishaq Bello is not the first court case to be connected with the two. As a matter of fact, their first encounters in this present democratic structure were decided by courts.
It is acclaimed that Nyesom Wike lost in the PDP primaries for Obio/Akpor LGA Chairmanship in 1999, went to court and was adjudged the rightful winner.
While his court victory played out, a certain Rotimi Amaechi scored a career defining court victory over his rival Uche Okuku for the Ikwerre LGA seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
They were both