"FUBARA'S SURRENDER SHOWS HE'S A VERY WEAK MAN" KOGBARA SAYS

Donu Kogbara, an international multimedia journalist, has criticized the enduring influence of political godfatherism in Rivers State, arguing that such dynamics stifle independent governance. She explained that the continuous friction between state executives and their political benefactors routinely disrupts public administration, forcing elected officials to prioritize loyalty over development.

According to a video posted on the Official YouTube channel of Arise News on Friday May 22, 2026, while analysts dissected the ongoing governance crisis in Rivers, she stated, “I do not think a governor should be so trapped that he has to continuously concede to his godfather,” referring to the relationship between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The veteran broadcaster noted that this executive subservience often leads to a severe crisis of confidence among the electorate, who expect their leaders to act independently. She stressed that when an elected official is constantly manipulated, the constitutional authority of the office is undermined, transforming democratic governance into a private enterprise.

Kogbara further emphasized that the intense struggle for political control in the oil-rich state continues to stall vital infrastructural projects and human capital development. She observed that state resources are frequently diverted to maintain patronage networks and fund political battles, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the consequences of fractured leadership.

In her concluding remarks, Kogbara warned that real democratic progress will remain elusive until institutions are strengthened against external interference. She insisted that future candidates must demonstrate the courage to uphold their constitutional mandates, thereby ensuring that accountability shifts away from political godfathers and back to the citizens who cast their votes.