Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu Calls Out Money Politics in Rivers Crisis

Former governorship candidate Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu has characterized the ongoing impeachment crisis in Rivers State as rooted in Nigeria’s pervasive money politics. She cautioned that without addressing the financial influences in governance, democracy in the nation will remain at risk. During an appearance on ARISE News on March 15, 2024, Aliyu stated that the current political tension involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former ally, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, stems primarily from financial control rather than ideological differences.

Aliyu emphasized that the high cost of elections in Nigeria fosters a culture of “godfatherism” and intense power struggles. “In Nigeria, you need to spend billions and billions of naira to become a governor. So definitely there will be drama,” she noted. This financial pressure often leads to unspoken agreements prior to elections, which can unravel once candidates secure power. “Probably there was an agreement: ‘Once I make you governor, you will do X, Y and Z.’ Then the person gets there and forgets who put him there,” Aliyu explained, labeling the situation as “a shame” for Nigeria’s democracy.

Drawing from her own experiences in politics, Aliyu shared that she faced similar expectations during her governorship bid. “I went through it big time. It was made clear to me that if I did not pay people to vote, I would not be elected,” she remarked, adding that she rejected such demands. “I told them not to worry. When you are ready to choose a credible candidate who will give you good governance and not be a puppet, then I will be there.”

Political Landscape and Future Implications

As a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Aliyu reflected on the infighting within the ruling party and its potential benefits for opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. “It will be good for our candidates in the ADC to step up their game in Rivers State and ensure we can take over in 2027,” she stated. However, she criticized the ruling party’s inconsistencies, highlighting the shift in support from Wike to Fubara.

“It is not nice how the ruling party initially supported Minister Wike, declared a state of emergency and made a sitting governor look so small. Now the governor aligns with the party, yet the minister is still after him,” she remarked. Aliyu advised political actors to prioritize stability and electoral strategies, suggesting that they should cease internal conflicts and focus on re-election efforts.

Regarding internal reforms within the ADC, Aliyu called for genuine inclusion of women and young people within the party. She urged the ADC to uphold its commitment to allocate 30 percent of slots for women and a similar percentage for youth, warning that failure to do so could have negative consequences.

“I joined ADC because I believe they will give women the opportunity to contest, and we are going to contest,” she said, firmly rejecting calls for aspirants to withdraw in favor of others. “I do not believe in asking anyone to step down for another person. Everybody should come into the race. No sentiments.”

Challenges for the Opposition

Aliyu also expressed skepticism regarding the relevance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that fragmentation among opposition parties would only strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “We cannot have three parties going into a race. It has to be APC versus ADC. PDP is gone—finished,” she stated emphatically.

She emphasized the necessity for unity among opposition parties if they hope to challenge the current ruling party effectively. “If we do not get it right now, we will fail to remove the ruling party. We must join hands and be stronger together,” Aliyu concluded. She warned that without structural reforms, credible primaries, and a reduced influence of money, Nigeria would continue to face recurring political crises rather than finding resolutions.