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RIVERS, Nigeria- Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his disappointment regarding the necessity to agree to the conditions proposed by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to facilitate his return as governor and restore peace.
In a statement made on Saturday ,Fubara shared his feelings during a meeting with key stakeholders but did not reveal the specific conditions discussed in his meeting with his predecessor and President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.
He remarked, “We have fought. In my assessment, and that of anyone here who genuinely engages in this struggle, it's evident that we have done all we needed to do.
At this point, if you are honest with yourself, the only path forward is peace. I stated that no price is too great for peace — I stand by that and am prepared to pursue it to the end.”
Acknowledging Wike’s contribution to his rise as governor in 2023, Fubara noted that while both he and Wike share the pain of the recent crisis, it is essential for all involved to reconcile their differences for peace to prevail.
He mentioned, “Yes, we may have our disagreements, but no one here can deny the role he played. No one can disregard the risks he undertook. Yes, we have had our conflicts but if reconciliation is necessary today, anyone who truly believes in me must recognize that it is the right thing to do.
“Thus, my respected fathers, brothers and sisters, regardless of the level of peace a mediator may propose, the genuine peace is the one achieved when both parties come together to express, ‘Yes, this is what we desire.’ At this point, I have met with him, and we have had discussions. You cannot ignore his feelings — he’s human. I have endured my share of suffering as well.”
Highlighting that as a united front, their collective interest and that of the state should be to support the president, he lamented the projects that have been left in limbo since his suspension, emphasizing the “progress that could have been made and the areas that could have flourished. Therefore, this peace is imperative — that is the reality.”
Fubara, who promised to remain committed to them, encouraged everyone to prepare for the significant sacrifices required for complete peace, asserting that without the reconciliation they have reached, there can be no advancement in the state.
He concluded by saying, “There is no way the President can intervene to resolve this situation. So, I urge everyone — I have agreed that we must embrace this peace, regardless of how it appears or how we feel, we must accept it.
Everyone should realize that we have done our utmost, and what we need now is this peace in order to progress. I understand it’s challenging and burdensome, but that is the reality.”
