– Philosophy Of Power Dynamics In Rivers State
Invites Stakeholders To Engage With Arguments In The Book
The League of Niger Delta Researchers For Sustainable Development, comprising of erudite academics from various universities in the Southeast and South-South regions of Nigeria has announced the forthcoming publication of their latest research book titled “Fubaraism: The New Philosophy of Power Dynamics in Rivers State”.
The League made this announcement on Friday December 6th, in Owerri, where they dissected the concept and dynamics of godfatherism in the Nigerian political macrocosm using Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State as a case study.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the league Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma, revealed that the research was embarked upon to address the far-reaching implications of godfatherism for democratic governance in Nigeria with a view to advancing knowledge and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria.
According to him, godfatherism is a deeply ingrained phenomenon in Nigerian politics which has never helped Nigeria, instead had led to the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals, undermined the independence of institutions, perpetuated corruption and impunity, and also led to the marginalization of other stakeholders and interests, including those of the ordinary people.
Prof. Uzorma supporting Gov. Fubara’s stance, emphasized that Politics is transient and should not be left in the hands of a particular people.
His words, “When you are done, you leave the stage. Godfathers are after their selfish interest. Fubara is not fighting but defending his policies. Fubara said that if Rivers State allocations are denied, he will still pay workers’ salaries. It is a challenge”.
He further stated that “Fubaraism” is a developing concept that sparks their consciousness, driving home legitimate questions and propelling the league to seek solutions and also to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Preye Kuro Inokoba, Public Relations Officer of the league defined “Fubaraism” as a concept that reflects the measures and various policies put in place by Gov. Fubara to ensure he delivers the dividends of democracy to the masses, thereby resisting his godfather’s influence.
Inokoba stated that even though godfatherism is a phenomenon in Nigeria’s corridors of power, Fubara’s case is peculiar to the existing realities because Fubara doesn’t want to be remote controlled, hence is making significant efforts to change the status quo by protecting the interests of the ordinary people above his godfather’s.
The National Publicity Secretary of the league, Dr. Okoroafor Sunday Adiele described “Fubaraism: The New Philosophy Of Power Dynamics In Rivers State” as a purely well researched academic work in the Nigerian academic space which cannot be compared with others.
He further defined “Fubaraism” as a concept of resistance, saying that other politicians that are fighting godfatherism are doing that for personal aggrandizement or to retain their political positions but Fubara is defending the course of his people.
Adiele emphasized that the research work is a non partisan, apolitical, unbiased work that is fully sponsored by the league, adding that the league is not interested in the political fights going around, hence is inviting scholars, policymakers and stakeholders to engage with the ideas and arguments presented in the book and to contribute to the ongoing debate about the nature and implications of Fubaraism before the book is concluded.
