Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a truce in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. During the flag-off of the Trans-Kalabari Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday, Jonathan urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to work together for the state’s development.
Rivers State has been in turmoil since late last year due to a fallout between Fubara and Wike, who is now the FCT Minister. Jonathan described the political tension in Rivers as alarming and stressed the need for cooperation between the current and former governors.
“Outgoing governors and incoming governors must know that they work together for the collective interest of the citizens of the state, and that is critical,” Jonathan said. “In the case of Rivers, Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara must work together to develop the land and people of Rivers State. The tension will not help us.”
Jonathan emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We are calling on them [Wike and Fubara] to embrace themselves. One hand does not clap. It takes two hands to clap. So, we want them to work together for the collective interest.”
The former president’s appeal comes amid ongoing tensions in Rivers State, which have seen several commissioners loyal to Wike resign and lawmakers aligned with Wike intensify their disputes with Fubara. Although Chief Bola Tinubu had previously intervened in the conflict, the situation has flared up again recently.
Jonathan highlighted the significance of stability in Rivers State for the nation’s development. “Rivers State is very critical in this country. Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta. If Rivers State is destabilized, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilized,” he said. “And it will not end within the Niger Delta alone because I am from this part of the country, and I know how the system works. We don’t want any crisis in Rivers State.”
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Jonathan expressed his concern about the frequent clashes between governors and their predecessors across Nigeria, noting that these conflicts are detrimental to the country. “Transition in Nigeria is becoming a problem. At the centre, presidents have taken over from presidents. They are always issues but at least it is better managed. But at the state level, it is becoming noisy in so many states, and I feel that that is not the best,” he said.
The call for peace by Jonathan comes at a critical time when Rivers State’s stability is seen as essential not just for the Niger Delta but for the entire nation. His plea for cooperation is aimed at fostering development and preventing further instability in the oil-rich state.
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