Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers state and his estranged godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday night said all the parties in the political crisis in Rivers have agreed to work together and that peace has returned in the state.
This declaration came after the two gladiators in the Rivers crisis alongside leaders and members of the state House of Assembly met behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu hosted the reconciliation meeting between Governor Fubara and his estranged godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The meeting brought together all the actors in the Rivers State political crisis including the. Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and other members of the state assembly.
This should be the second time governor Fubara had met with the president after his suspension and all the state legislators on March 18.
The first was in Lagos during the Sallah holiday.
The President declared a state of emergency in Rivers state and appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas (retd)
Speaking to one of the President’s media aides, Sunday Moses, after the Thursday late night meeting, the main actors said that they have buried the hatchet and resolved to work together.
The FCT Minister said: “We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family.
“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have a time to also settle your disagreement. And that has been finally concluded today (Thursday night) and we have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed so for me, everything is over. And enjoin all, everybody who believe to work with us, to also work together with everybody that there’s no more acrimony.”
On his part, the suspended governor, Sir Fubara: said: “For me, it’s a day we have to thank Almighty God. For me, iit is very important that this day has come to be.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace and by the special grace of God this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, our leader, peace as returned in Rivers state. We’ll do everything within in our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”
Recall that President Tinubu in a shocking broadcast on March 18, suspended the governor, his deputy and the members of the House of Assembly over the political crisis in the state and even declared a state of emergency.
Tinubu in his broadcast said: “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”
