Fubara’s recent visit to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been described by prominent elders in Rivers State as a bold step towards peace and stability in the state. According to Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a respected leader and founding spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the visit in a sincere effort to calm tensions that have gripped the state’s political environment in recent months.
Sara-Igbe, who is also a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, noted that Fubara has shown commitment to peace even in the face of provocation. He pointed out that while Wike, the former governor, has often adopted a confrontational tone, Fubara continues to pursue dialogue.
“That discussion is not for public consumption, except the FCT Minister wants to make it public,” Sara-Igbe stated. “At the end of the day, we’ll hear the result.”
Sara-Igbe noted that leadership sometimes demands personal sacrifices, and the governor’s willingness to visit Wike — despite their differences — was a show of humility and maturity. “The governor is looking for peace — it is Wike who doesn’t want peace. And if somebody is looking for peace, you must make sacrifices,” he said. “You can’t get any peace without sacrifice.”
He further added, “The governor is a governor of everybody. It’s not about pride. With humility, he went there to discuss, and they discussed.”
Confirming the meeting, Wike disclosed during a media chat on Monday that Governor Fubara came to his Port Harcourt residence with two governors from the All Progressives Congress and another unnamed person.
“Yes, he came. He came with two governors and one other person. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors, so I will not pursue them. And he said he wants peace — fine. I want peace,” Wike said.
However, Wike also noted that Fubara’s political struggles were due to his own choices. He recalled advising the governor earlier, alongside other political leaders including former governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
“When this thing started, I called him. Seyi Makinde was there, Ortom was there, Ikpeazu was there, Ugwuanyi was there. We sat him down and said: ‘This thing is not good for you. God has given you this office; why not be humble and not allow people to push you?’” Wike said.
According to him, their advice went unheeded. “They kept telling him to act like a governor. We know. Nobody is taking that away — he is a governor. But all I am saying is, don’t abandon people who laboured for you day and night.”
On a separate issue, Wike also addressed ongoing problems in the FCT, especially concerning open grazing. He noted that while the government is working to manage the problem, complications have arisen due to illegal land occupation.
“We are doing everything we can, but we must tread cautiously,” he said.
Wike disclosed that land originally assigned for grazing — around 100 hectares — had been taken over by land grabbers, worsening the situation.
