- Says Rivers State now peaceful
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has confirmed being in touch with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State ahead of his planned resumption in office following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end emergency rule in the State.
Wike said on Politics Today, a Channels Television interview programme, aired on Thursday that he spoke with Fubara on Wednesday concerning latest development in the oil-rich State.
According to the Minister, peace has been restored in Rivers after six months of emergency rule, adding that all the political actors and stakeholders are now committed to stability.
Wike, who is the immediate past governor of the State, stated thus, “As I speak to you, as of yesterday (Wednesday), I spoke with the governor (Fubars). It doesn’t matter who called, but what is important is that we spoke, and he told me he was leaving the next morning”.
“So, I can tell you that, by the grace of God, peace has returned and see what the assembly did to set the tone today.”
While praising the Rivers State House of Assembly for “setting the tone” for reconciliation, the Minister said, “You can see peace; you can see we are prepared, for the interest of the state. Let’s move forward.”
On who initiated the conversation between him and Governor Fubara, Wike said the question was irrelevant, and maintained that “what matters is that there is peace again in the state.”
The Minister also lauded President Bola Tinubu for lifting the state of emergency imposed on Rivers in the last six months, describing the move as a courageous intervention that restored calm and peace to the State.
He said, “I must commend Mr President for lifting the emergency rule in Rivers, so many people, so many people became constitutional experts, senior advocates and analysts because of the so-called emergency rule. I believe so many of the Rivers people are happy because of what Mr President has done. And what did he do? What was the basis of declaring the state of emergency?”
Recalled that following the prolonged political crisis between the governor and his predecessor, President Tinubu in March this year, suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly for an initial period of six months which has now expired.
