R-L: Wike, Fubara
By Abdul Hassan
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared a ceasefire agreement over the Rivers political crisis and subsequent restoration of peace in the state.
Wike announced this after a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the aggrieved parties at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday night.
The minister said that he, the suspended Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the state House of Assembly had settled their disagreements.
It would be recalled that Wike and Fubara had been embroiled in crisis for some time over the control of Rivers, with the situation spilling over to the State House of Assembly.
The impasse led to a series of litigations with the Supreme Court resolving the case in favour of the lawmakers.
But the Supreme Court resolution sparked another round of crisis with the lawmakers and Wike threatening to impeach the Governor.
In March, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers after the situation threatened to get out of hand, suspending the Governor, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly.
The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the State.
However, addressing journalists after the meeting, Wike said peace had finally returned to Rivers.
He 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 time to also settle your disagreement and that has been finally concluded today.
“We have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over. There’s no more acrimony.”
Also speaking, Fubara said: “What we need for the progress of Rivers state is peace and by the special grace of God, tonight, with the help of the president and the agreement with leaders of the state, peace has returned.
“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.”
