By Chidiebere Nwobodo

One of the major pitfalls of political power, is inability to read times and seasons currently. Dreaded despots and monstrous tyrants have lost grip of power—just for this simple reason.

Governor Nyesom Wike just put himself against the cause of justice. The protests that are raging across the country, are not necessarily about #EndPoliceBrutality campaign vis-a-vis #ENDSARS but expression of bottled up frustration of Nigerians, that just got erupted.

It is insufferably nauseating that a governor that pontificates as arrowhead of opposition, could be this insensitive to yearnings and cries of Nigerians, especially the youths as it relates to police brutality. The purported ban of #EndPoliceBrutality protests in Rivers State by the governor, can be described as one of the idiotic decisions he took while in office. History will be harsh with him.

This irrational decision, is not only a gross violation of the constitution by a supposed lawyer; married to a practicing judge, but crass insult on the collective intelligence cum sensibilities of not only Rivers people, but all lovers of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly in the country.

It is either that Governor Wike populated his cabinets with sycophants and nitwitted dimwits, or that he doesn’t seek advice from his so-called advisers.

Wike’s ban on #EndPoliceBrutality in Rivers State, has stripped him of any veil masquerading his hypocrisy, and exposed him as a user of people and an a slave of political power.

I can still recall vividly how Gov. Wike sponsored frontpage adverts in mainstream newspapers against then Rivers State SARS Commander, Mr. Akin Fakorede.

He accused SARS commander of leading a gang of notorious SARS officers that were behind political hostilities and brutalities against Rivers residents, especially PDP sympathizers.

Today, this same Emperor Wike is standing against the same Rivers people peacefully protesting against #EndPoliceBrutality as was embodied in the same SARS he extravagantly deployed Rivers resources to fight, just for his selfish political preservation.

Today, Rivers people can go to hell because their demigod is no longer seeking re-election as governor. Emperor Wike fallacious excuse was that IGP had banned SARS and that there was no basis for protests again.

Gov. Nyesom Wike, when Akin Fakorede—then Rivers State SARS commander was your nightmare and political nemesis, was the same SARS not banned, twice?

The same Rivers people stood by you to defeat the likes of Akin Fakorede and his paymasters in Abuja. As I type, I can recall in my mind pictures of Rivers ladies and women that specifically march the streets of Port Harcourt against Akin Fakorede and his rogue boys in SARS—just to ensure that you were not tyrannically bundled out of office.

Today, Gov. Nyesom Wike, like a typically Nigerian self-centered politician, had forgotten the sacrifices of Rivers people, and decided to deny Rivers residents the same rights of expression against political brutality.

Rest assured that posterity will not be fair to you. I am aware that you’re on overdrive to please The Villa just to get the much-needed N79 billion refund release to you, to enable you fund your 2023 ambition. But remember, power is transient.

Whoever gave you this ill-conceived advice to ban #EndPoliceBrutality in Rivers State, did a grave harm on your legacy and whatever that is left of your reputation in the watching eyes of Nigerians.

You have proven again, beyond reasonable doubt, that you’re worst than those you criticize and malign. When you start crying again, be ready to cry as a lone ranger.