Nigeria, Jan. 9 -- Few biblical metaphors travel as easily through Nigeria's political terrain as "the voice is Jacob's, but the hand is Esau's." It is a phrase that has survived military rule, civilian transitions, godfather politics, and party defections. Today, it has found fresh relevance in Rivers State, where the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara is widely seen as less about governance and more about power, who wields it, who lost it, and who is determined to reclaim it.

Across political circles, media commentary, and party caucuses, the phrase has become shorthand for what many believe is unfolding: a carefully choreographed political operation in which the visible actors are not the true authors of the drama....