Fubara, Wike and Rivers State legislators met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he hopes Thursday’s meeting with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and his state’s legislators at the Presidential Villa will bring lasting peace in the state.
TheNiche had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday night, met with the two warring politicians and suspended Rivers State legislators over the lingering crisis in the state.
Confirming the development via his X handle, Special Adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said his principal’s action demonstrated his desire for peace to reign in the South-South state.
He wrote, “President Tinubu has demonstrated once again that he wants peace for Rivers State. Just like he brought together the political gladiators to sign a peace deal in December 2023, he repeated the same on Thursday night, three months after he imposed the March 18 state of emergency.”
However, while addressing journalists shortly after the meeting with the president, Fubara said what the state needs to progress is peace, emphasizing that with the agreement reached at the meeting, the needed peace has finally returned.
He also pledged that all parties will ensure that they sustain the brokered peace agreement this time around.
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Fubara said, “For me, it’s very important that this day has come.
“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned to Rivers State.
“We will do everything within our power to ensure that we sustain it this time around.”
Also speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Wike assured that he, the governor and state lawmakers will work together following the president’s intervention.
He said: “Peace has finally returned to the state, we will work together with the governor and the governor has agreed to work with us.
“We are members of the same political family and yes, we are humans so there will be time for disagreement and time to settle your disagreement, that has been settled today.
“We have come to report to Mr President that this is what we have agreed; so for me everything is over and I enjoy everybody who wants to work with us to work with everybody as there will be no more acrimony.”
