PDP: Actors in Rivers crisis should sheathe swords, allow amicable resolution

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national working committee (NWC) has called for calm amid the political tension in Rivers state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the party is in the process of using its “internal conflict resolution mechanisms” to address the crisis.

The political crisis in the state took a new dimension on Monday as some lawmakers in the state assembly moved to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, the governor.

Ehie Edison, Fubara’s ally, was summarily removed as the leader of the house of assembly but hours later, he was elected as the new speaker.

The political turmoil in the state is linked to a rumoured rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

On Tuesday, Wike and Fubara met at the presidential Villa — the first sit-down since the latest political crisis in the state.

The PDP called on all actors in the state to “sheathe their swords and allow for peaceful and amicable resolution of all the issues”.

“The NWC urges all PDP members and supporters to be calm and assures that it has commenced processes, using the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure that all matters and areas of disagreement are addressed,” the statement reads.

The opposition party also advised all leaders and critical stakeholders in Rivers to “close ranks, unite and focus on the onerous task of governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people”.