Efforts to reconcile the opposing factions in the ongoing Rivers State political crisis have yet to yield any significant progress, The Nation reports.
Governor Siminilayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and all the state legislators were suspended for six months under the state of emergency imposed on the state on March 20 by President Bola Tinubu on account of the crisis.
His request to the National Assembly for the endorsement of the state of emergency declaration was promptly granted.
The two chambers however proposed to set up a committee to reconcile the warring personalities before the expiration of the six-month suspension.
But two weeks after, there is no concrete action yet to implement the proposed reconciliation between Governor Fubara and his supporters and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and his supporters.
Political sources in the state told The Nation in Port Harcourt that one of the factors delaying the reconciliation process was the role played by some notable leaders in the state and the Ijaw nation in the crisis.
One of the sources, an Ijaw, who does not want his name in print, said that instead of maintaining neutrality during the crisis, most of the leaders took sides and had lost the expected credibility to galvanise a genuine move for reconciliation.
According to him, many Ijaw leaders sided with the governor and despised Wike, a development he said aggravated the crisis.
“Those that should have led us out of the woods this time around took sides in the crisis. They lack the credibility to call the two parties to a roundtable,” the source said.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who should have led the peace talks at this time, was pushed to side with Governor Fubara in the crisis.
“The Ijaw National Congress (INC), led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, disappointed the Ijaw through its obvious partiality in the matter. Prof. Okaba did not help matters at all.
“The body can no longer be deployed to ensure genuine reconciliation. The leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also took a position in the crisis.
“You remember that all the elders in Rivers are already divided into Wike’s or Fubara’s elders.
“These are people that should have risen to the occasion at this point, but they no longer command the respect that can foster genuine reconciliation.
“As it stands, there is nothing visible being done to kick-start any reconciliation.”
Fubara has returned to his private residence in Port Harcourt while many of the suspended lawmakers are said to be holidaying outside the country.
The President of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Jonathan Lokpobiri, said if the Ijaw had applied tact as against threats, the Rivers problem would have been nipped in the bud before it got out of hand.
Jonathan said: “Permit me to reflect on the state we are as Ijaw nation regarding the state of emergency in Rivers.
“I can, with all sense of responsibility and conviction, state that if we had applied wisdom in the management of this crisis in Rivers, we would not be where we are today.
“Instead of using wisdom in matters we can nip in the bud, we chose to threaten war that we were not prepared for.
“I have seen over times that emotion has never won a war. But planning and strategic consultations do.
“People in the name of struggle, even in the matters we can nip in the bud and caution ourselves internally, rush to the media and threaten war and give the enemies an opportunity to fortify themselves for it, and when the war comes, we no longer speak.”
Jonathan claimed some leaders spoke carelessly when they were supposed to lead the peace process.
He, however, said such leaders suddenly went quiet when they were expected to actualise the threats they issued.
He said the situation in Rivers was never a war between the Ijaw and the Ikwerre ethnic nationalities and wondered what would have happened if the Ikwerre had returned the threats.
Jonathan said: “People speak carelessly in an attempt to put an ethnic group into a war that is avoidable. For those who threatened fire and brimstone, the war came but I didn’t hear their voices anymore.
“We must be wise in prosecuting the struggles of the Niger Delta.
“If this was how our leaders went about their struggle, I am not sure anybody would have respected the Ijaw nation.
“Most of those making unguarded statements are people we clap for without cautioning them.
“There is no war between Ijaw and Ikwerre and any other ethnic group. If the Ikwerre ethnic group had responded to our unguarded statements, there would be war already in Rivers.”
Jonathan said while he would like Fubara to return to office quickly and complete his tenure, the Ijaw must avoid resorting to emotions in times of crisis.
He said: “Sometimes wisdom is stronger than the arms we think we have gathered.
“If we had solved this problem internally as we advised earlier, we wouldn’t get to this embarrassing moment of a state of emergency.
“I expected missiles to flow when this state of emergency was declared, but those who threatened the war never said anything anymore.”
President of the Movement for Izon Ethnic Nationality (MOSIEND), Kennedy Tonjo-West, offered to begin consultations necessary to start reconciliation.
West recalled that MOSIEND was neutral during the crisis and only advised both parties to mend their fences in the interest of peace and development of Rivers.
“I am already undertaking some consultations so that the process of reconciliation can start on time.
“We want Rivers to return to a process of reconciliation without any delay.”
Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd), assumed office on March 20 following the declaration of emergency rule in the state.
Kinsmen of suspended Governor Fubara from Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area of the state have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to end the emergency rule.
They said reversing the emergency rule would allow for diplomatic and justifiable resolutions of the lingering political crisis in the state.
In a communique at the end of a meeting at Opobo, Fubara’s hometown, critical stakeholders from the area said the declaration was unconstitutional and counter-productive, claiming it had induced untold hardship and economic strangulation in the state.
The communique was signed by Amaopusenibo Ben Daminabo, Prof.Blessing Jaja, Alabo-Elect Edward Namiesimagha, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, Alabo Sam Stewart, Maclean Minimah, and Amaopusenibo Emma Taribo, among others.
The Opobo/Nkoro leaders said: “We affirm our inalienable commitment to the unity, peaceful coexistence and stability of our state and nation in line with universally acceptable democratic principles and ethos in line with the extant provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Whereas we unequivocally subscribe to proactive intervention by all and sundry to ensure restoration and sustenance of peace, safety and security of life and property of the citizenry, with the highest sense of patriotism, responsibility and unwavering commitment to the peace, unity, stability and progress of our dear nation, Nigeria, we express deep concerns regarding the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers.”
Addressing the President, they said: “While we acknowledge Your Excellency’s commitment to upholding law and order across the federation and your unwavering determination to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians, we regrettably observed that the decision fell short of its constitutional requirements as provided under the relevant sections of 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.
“It is evident the issues/matters presented to you were evidently blown out of proportion and did not reflect realities on ground in Rivers State. As at today, Rivers, despite recent political tensions, is not in a state of lawlessness or breakdown of law and order as encapsulated in the constitution to warrant extreme measure”.
The leaders said contrary to all the lies bandied by those they said did not mean well for the state, Fubara publicly declared his acceptance of the Supreme Court’s judgment and his readiness to implement it to the letter.”
They highlighted Fubara’s efforts toward the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill (Budget) to the state lawmakers, payment of backlog of salaries and allowances to them and provision of a suitable place for the conduct of legislative businesses.
They observed that the Sole Administrator, Vice-Marshal Ibok Ibas (rtd) confirmed that the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex upgrade project by Siminalayi Fubara had reached over 80 per cent completion.
They said: “No evidence whatsoever that oil pipelines and or other critical national assets in Rivers State have been bombed or in any way attacked nor tampered with in the state.
“No single life has been lost or anyone killed as erroneously claimed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on national television.
“The perceived crisis is largely politically orchestrated and motivated, and does not reflect the general atmosphere of peace enjoyed by all LGAs, including Opobo/Nkoro LGA where His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS our suspended Governor hails from and across the other 22 LGAs of Rivers State.
“Security agencies have not had any challenging situation of threat to law and order nor any disruptions in the general peaceful atmosphere in the State.
“Traditional institutions, local leadership and community structures have continued to promote peace among various groups.
“The general populace remains peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to harmonious coexistence.
“We reaffirm the existing unalloyed confidence in the ability of the governor of Rivers State, Sir (Dr.) Siminalayi Fubara to pilot the affairs of the state as provided under the extant law.
“Rather than a state of emergency, we most respectfully urge Your Excellency to consider more diplomatic and constructive approaches to resolving the prevailing tensions.”
The leaders recommended high level stakeholders engagement to de-escalate tensions and strengthen security agencies to handle isolated security challenges more effectively without invoking emergency powers.
