Despite Differences, Wike And Fubara, Commit To Peace

● Urge supporters to give peace a chance as the new year settles in; and respect for the President among Rivers people grows

 

By PHC Telegraph

 

The leading lights responsible for the simmering crisis within the Consolidation team who have stood together over the years as an all conquering force may be toning down on their rhetoric and urging their supporters to embrace efforts to promote reconciliation.

Of late, both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been been inspiring confidence in the peace process put together by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike who spoke in Port Harcourt on Sunday said he would not even dare to disobey the nation’s President who means well for Nigerians and the people of Rivers State.

“I just want to make one confession, I work with Tinubu and there is no way I will disobey him. It is not possible. Whether I am working with him or not, the mere fact that Mr. President calls you and says look, I want peace here, there is no way I can disobey Mr. President.

 

“I may not be happy with all the resolutions but you owe a duty. If Mr President has called for peace, who are you to say you don’t want peace? I will not attach any condition to what Mr President has told me, I will not do it. So I will always obey Mr President and I will do everything humanly possible to see that his peace arrangement is achieved in Rivers”, he stressed.

The Minister who was reacting to the eight-point peace agenda that is helping to lower tensions among Rivers people said that the intervention of the President has been a very welcome development.

He urged his supporters to stick to the plan introduced by Tinubu, saying it was the least that they could do to back the efforts of someone who has stuck out his neck to address teething problems.

The Minister hailed the decision of the lawmakers who within 48 hours of the deal reversed their move to impeach Governor Fubara without any precondition.

Fubara, on the other hand, has continued to insist that no price is too big to pay in order to ensure that peace reigns.

 

“Let me say this to my dear state”, Fubara remarked at the 3rd Convocation ceremony of the Pamo University, “I call you my dear state because the support you have shown to me within this period is unmeasurable.

“Ordinarily, I don’t even know them or have any contact with them but they stood by me. There is no amount that is too big to pay for peace. I will continue to pay it.”

Fubara said on another occasion, “Peace is priceless”, stressing that finding a way forward in the interest may be the best thing to do in the circumstance.

When both men met at the rededication service to usher in 2023/2024 legal year on December 8th, 2023, Fubara claimed that differences between the former Governor and himself were in the past.

He denied arranging people to rain abuse on his immediate predecessor, “My oga (Wike) remains my oga. Whatever that has happened is in the past,” Fubara emphasized.

“I want us to continue to pray for the peace and development of this state. I have not sent anybody to malign anybody.”

Edison Ehie, a prominent supporter of Fubara has withdrawn his membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly and his claim over the position of Speake

Outstanding claims and entitlements owed state lawmakers have been settled. And the House leadership under the able watch of Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, recognised by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Government.

Thus far, the posturing of major dramatis personae in the Rivers political crisis has largely influenced the attitude as well as the behaviour of their swarming supporters who are slowly backing down despite the wild-cat exchanges that have dominated the social media space.

On the surface, Rivers appears to be calm as peace building continues, but beneath the scene, men are fighting for relevance and control of the politics of the State.

It is not yet clear who of the two gladiators will have the upper hand. At the moment, everyone is waiting for the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment.

Fubara had won at the tribunal and at the Court of Appeal. His fate will be determined by the Supreme Court.

According to information that is making the rounds, the 15th of this month may have been set aside for the ruling of the apex court.

Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike are two governors from the State who came to office in contemporary times through declarative pronouncements of the Supreme Court.

Will Fubara be the third?