In a recent interview, politician Dan Nwayanwu spoke about the ongoing political tension in Rivers State. In a video that was shared by SYMFONI TV, he explained that it is common in Nigerian politics for a state governor to become the leader of their political party in that state. However, Nwayanwu highlighted a key issue: when someone helps put a person in power, they often expect that person to remain loyal and submissive forever.
He expressed confusion over this mindset, saying, “I do not know why people think that if you made somebody, he’ll be forever licking your boots.” According to him, once a person takes office, they want to create their own legacy. They will receive advice from others and make their own decisions.
Nwayanwu also pointed out that the real problem starts when former political leaders—sometimes called “godfathers”—try to maintain control over state resources, even after they leave office. He emphasized that successful transitions of power can happen without issues, but greed often leads to conflict. This greed, he explained, is what causes the tensions we see in Rivers State today.
In his view, if these godfathers let go and allowed new leaders to govern freely, the state would be much more peaceful.
Peoplesmind