Peace has reportedly returned to Rivers State following a reconciliation between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, in a media chat aired from Abuja on Thursday, said he owed no one an explanation for the peace deal, emphasizing that the resolution was necessary for the state’s progress. “Some people were fed fat from the crisis. Now that peace has returned, they are no longer happy. I don’t owe anyone an explanation. What matters is that the state is moving forward,” he stated.
The former Rivers governor accused unnamed individuals of capitalizing on the political conflict, describing their actions as attempts to turn the state’s turmoil into a personal “oil well.” According to Wike, these actors are discontented with the return to calm because they thrived on the chaos. He defended the decision to reconcile with Fubara as being driven purely by the interests of Rivers residents and the need to restore stability.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum praised the truce and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take the reconciliation a step further. In a statement signed by Dr. Gabriel Toby, the Forum’s acting chairman and former deputy governor, the group called for the immediate restoration of all suspended democratic institutions and an end to what they termed a “de facto state of emergency” in the state.
The elders acknowledged that their previous efforts to mediate between the two political figures had been ignored. However, they commended the eventual peace, crediting President Tinubu’s intervention as pivotal. “We commend the recent maturity and courage shown by both men in embracing peace… we thank President Tinubu for stepping in as a father figure,” the statement read.
The Forum noted that while the details of the peace agreement remain undisclosed, they trust it respects the 1999 Constitution and upholds the rule of law. Emphasizing that their concern is strictly for the common good of Rivers State, the group urged that peace should pave the way for productive governance. “We are not seeking personal gain or political favour. We only want a united state where elected leaders can work together,” they added.
The Forum encouraged all political actors to treat this reconciliation not as a final resolution of all disagreements, but as the foundation for a more collaborative future.
They called for unity, respect, and a renewed focus on development, urging: “Let Rivers rise again in pride and purpose. Our strength lies in our unity, shared heritage, and common destiny.”
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