Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on his loyal supporters to accept the recent peace agreement between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking to his political group, the Simplified Family, during a gathering in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Fubara said he was ready to make personal sacrifices if it would bring lasting peace to the state.
He described the situation in Rivers as a serious matter that can only be resolved with calm minds and unity, not more conflict.
“We have fought. I think, in my own assessment and in the assessment of anyone here who is genuine in this struggle, you will know that we have done what we need to do. At this point, if you want to be truthful to yourself, the only solution is peace. I did say that there’s no price that is too big for peace — I meant it, and I’m still ready to follow it to the end,” Fubara said.
He also noted that while there were past disagreements with Wike, it was time to move forward. According to him, those who truly believe in his vision must understand that peace is now the best path forward. He made it clear that he does not deny Wike’s past contributions to the state, even though they had some political battles along the way.
“Nobody can take away the role Wike played. Nobody can wish away the risk he took. Yes, at a point we had our differences and if today there’s need for us to settle, please, anyone who genuinely believes in me should understand that it’s the right thing to do,” he added.
Fubara also noted that peace must be sincere, and not just arranged by outsiders. He said true progress can only happen when both parties involved in the crisis are ready to talk and work together.
“So, my dear fathers, brothers and sisters, no matter the level of peace that a mediator will arrange, the true peace is the one where both of you are sitting down together to say, ‘Yes, this is what we want. We know the progress we would have recorded and the areas that would have been developed. So, there’s need for this peace, that’s the truth,’” he told the crowd.
