A public affairs analyst, Mr Etim Etim Media entrepreneur and public affairs analyst, Etim Etim, has taken a critical look at the political situation in Rivers Staten describing it as a classical and troubling example of a “state capture”.
Etim, who is also a media entrepreneur, particularly said a situation in which the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike remains a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but influencing decisions in the All Progressives Congress (APC) including the selection of a Governorship candidate and legislative positions clearly points to the direction of what he described as “state capture, on Nigeria’s present democratic dispensation.
He specifically warned that the phenomenon portends serious danger for democracy as it is steadily weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ethos.
In the words of Etim; “Rivers State is not the only state affected, but it offers a vivid illustration of how political influence can overwhelm public institutions and democratic processes”.
Etim further argued that students of development economics and political science may in the future study Rivers State as a case study on state capture in Nigeria, stressing that the growing trend of state capture has seriously weakened critical national institutions.
According to him; “Some of the affected institutions as a result of State Capture include; the military, police, judiciary, legislature, civil service, anti-corruption agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.
Etim also said that the erosion of these institutions has negatively and significantly affected virtually every sector of national life, thus partly explains why insecurity and terrorism have persisted despite efforts by the government.
Etim further stated; “The government appears too weak and ineffective in protecting citizens because institutions that should function independently have been compromised”.
