In a recent interview on Arise TV, Liborous Oshoma, a lawyer and public policy analyst, has stirred fresh debate over the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, as he questioned the foundations of internal party politics and the growing influence of political godfathers on democratic institutions. Oshoma spoke against the backdrop of renewed impeachment threats, factional battles within the All Progressives Congress (APC), and rising public anxiety over governance in the state.
According to Oshoma, , “Wike said he bought forms for all members of the House of Assembly, Fubara, senators, and House of Representatives members.” He argued that such a statement, if taken at face value, raises serious constitutional and ethical concerns about the independence of elected officials and the credibility of the electoral process.
According to Oshoma, democracy is undermined when political actors openly boast of financing nomination forms for candidates who later occupy strategic public offices. He noted that such claims provoke legitimate questions about accountability, transparency, and whether elected representatives can truly act in the interest of the people when they are perceived to owe their political survival to a single individual.
The public policy analyst further linked the allegation to the recurring impeachment attempts against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing them as symptoms of a broader struggle for political control rather than purely constitutional disagreements. He warned that selective enforcement of the constitution and constant political intimidation weaken democratic norms and distract leaders from governance.
Oshoma also criticized the tendency of political parties to abandon internal conflict-resolution mechanisms in favour of power plays and external interventions, stressing that such practices damage party cohesion and public confidence. He urged political leaders in Rivers State to prioritize dialogue, respect constitutional processes, and focus on delivering dividends of democracy to citizens.
He concluded that unless the political class reins in personal ambitions and undue influence, Rivers State risks prolonged instability, with serious consequences for governance, development, and democratic growth.
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