Former governorship candidate, Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu, has described the ongoing impeachment crisis in Rivers State as a fallout of Nigeria’s entrenched money politics, warning that democracy would remain fragile until the influence of money is reduced in governance.
Speaking on Arise News on Friday, Sarumi Aliyu said the political tension between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had little to do with ideology or governance.
“I have always said since the time I went into politics that we need to put an end to money politics. If you dig deep into what is happening, it is all about money,” she said.
According to her, the huge financial cost of elections in Nigeria fuels post-election power struggles and godfatherism.
“In Nigeria, you need to spend billions and billions of naira to become a governor. So definitely there will be drama. One person makes you governor, and then that person wants to control you,” Sarumi Aliyu stated.
The former candidate suggested that secret agreements are often reached before elections, only to unravel once power is secured.
“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, or he has other plans,” she said, describing the situation as a shame and terrible for Nigeria’s democracy.
Drawing on her own experience, Sarumi Aliyu said she faced similar pressures during her bid for governor.
“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 said.
She added that she rejected such demands.
Aliyu said, “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.”
Godfathers Should Mentor, Not Control
On godfatherism, Sarumi Aliyu said she had political mentors but not controllers.
“I had godfathers and godmothers, but they were not the type that dictated what I should do. I had good people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Yeye Alabalosun,” she said.
Turning to the Rivers crisis, Sarumi Aliyu, now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said continued infighting within the ruling party could benefit the opposition, if it does not worsen conditions for citizens.
“As a political strategist for my party, it is fantastic if they continue to fight, as long as it does not affect the people of Rivers State,” she said.
She argued that the turmoil presents an opening ahead of the 2027 elections.
She said, “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.”
Sarumi Aliyu criticised what she described as an inconsistency by the ruling party.
“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 said.
She advised political actors to prioritise stability.
“If they want to be smart, they need to stop the fight and focus on re-election,” she added.
On internal reforms within the ADC, Sarumi Aliyu said the party’s ongoing constitution review must translate into real inclusion.
“ADC needs to fulfil its promise of 30 per cent slots for women and 30 per cent for youths. If they do that, it will be a win-win. If they don’t, it will backfire,” she warned.
Explaining her decision to join the party, she said, “I joined ADC because I believe they will give women the opportunity to contest, and we are going to contest.”
She also rejected calls for aspirants to step down in favour of others.
Aliyu further stated, “I do not believe in asking anyone to step down for another person. Everybody should come into the race. No sentiments.”
Addressing the broader opposition landscape, Sarumi Aliyu dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party as irrelevant, warning that fragmentation would only strengthen the All Progressives Congress.
“We cannot have three parties going into a race. It has to be APC versus ADC. PDP is gone, finished,” she said.
She stressed that unity was critical if the opposition hopes to unseat the ruling party.
She stated, “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 added that without structural reform, credible primaries and reduced influence of money, Nigeria would continue to recycle political crises rather than resolve them.