I’m open to lasting peace in Rivers, Fubara tells pro-Wike lawmakers

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, has implored lawmakers in the state to put the welfare of citizens first and work towards peace to resolve the ongoing political crisis.

Fubara made the plea on Thursday while commissioning some projects in the Okrika LGA of the state.

On Wednesday, the governor was prevented from entering the Rivers House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt to present the 2025 budget, encountering locked gates upon arrival.

The assembly quarters serve as the chamber for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers assembly, which is loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Fubara and Wike have been locked in a supremacy battle over control of the political structure of the state. The rift led to the polarisation of the Rivers assembly.

In December 2024, the governor presented a 2025 budget proposal of N1.1 trillion to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led state house of assembly which is loyal to him.

‘PEACE MUST PREVAIL’

Fubara emphasised the necessity of tranquillity for effective leadership and urged discontented politicians to move forward and uphold the supreme court’s resolutions.

“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara’s chief press secretary, quoted him as saying.

“The supreme court has made its judgment, we don’t have any option than to abide by it.

“And, by the special grace of God, we have started the process. We are appealing to other parties, consider the interest of Rivers State, it is important.

“The only thing that we owe this State is peace and development. I am open any day, any time, for total peace in our state, because if I have to govern well, there is a need for peace to prevail.”

BACKGROUND

On February 28, the supreme court affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.

The supreme court also nullified the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.

Fubara had promised to comply with the judgment of the apex court.

On Sunday, the Rivers governor invited the Amaewhule-led house of assembly members to a meeting scheduled for Monday.

Fubara’s invitation was viewed as a step towards resolving the Rivers assembly crisis that began in 2023.

The FCT minister, however, criticised Fubara for writing to the state house of assembly, stating that he should have called Amaewhule and his team to arrange a meeting. He also described the letter from Fubara as “useless”.

Wike said Fubara should be impeached if he violates the constitution, adding that removing the governor would not constitute a criminal offence.