…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
The newly appointed Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, who succeeded Nyesom Wike, is facing severe criticism following his declaration to govern the state based on Christian values and with the fear of God.
Fubara made this statement while unveiling his official portrait on Twitter on May 31st, 2023.
Fubara emphasized that Rivers State is a Christian State and expressed the intention to govern in accordance with Christian principles such as trust, faith, love, care, and sacrifice.
However, this proclamation has triggered a backlash from Nigerians who accuse the governor of using religion as a political weapon.
The criticism stems from allegations of electoral rigging in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, who ran on a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
A recent BBC report highlighted irregularities in Rivers State that contributed to Tinubu’s emergence as the president-elect, revealing discrepancies between the results obtained from polling units and the official announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting to Fubara’s statement, some Nigerians expressed their discontent on social media.
Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar pointed out the irony of a Christian state allegedly rigging the election against a fellow Christian candidate in favor of a Muslim candidate.
El-Bonga, while acknowledging that Rivers State can be considered a Christian state, criticized the potential double standard in the public reaction, suggesting that if a governor from a Muslim-majority state made a similar statement, it would generate more attention and outcry.
Taha Adam echoed this sentiment, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in the differing responses to declarations from Christian and Muslim states.
Ridwan Oke noted that had a governor from a northern state made a similar tweet, it would have garnered significant attention by now.
Jackson Ude criticized the governor for hiding behind Christianity while engaging in alleged corruption and election rigging during the tenure of his predecessor.
Ude urged Fubara to focus on the task at hand rather than using religiosity as a shield.
Oyee Luke defended the governor, urging critics to leave him alone and stating that Fubara had clearly communicated his intentions, inviting dissenters to find alternative solutions if they disagreed.
These diverse reactions reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of religion and politics in Nigeria.
