*Peace Has Returned To Rivers State, Says Fubara
APPARENTLY in his renewed bid to find a lasting solution to the linger political crisis in Rivers State that led to his declaration of a state of emergency in the state and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and the elected members of the House of Assembly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday night, June 26, held a meeting with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Fubara and the lawmakers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Wike, supported by the lawmakers, and Fubara have been engaged in a supremacy battle over control of the poilitics of the state, resulting in the crisis and numerous litigations, with the Supreme Court resolving the case in favour of the majority lawmakers.
Following the lingering crisis, despite the Supreme Court judgment, with the lawmakers and Wike threatening to impeach Fubara, and threat to the country’s oil assets, the President on March 18 declared emergency in Rivers State and appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as Sole Administrator.
Thursday’s meeting followed an earlier parleys between Wike and Fubara, and the governors and lawmakers, and it was gathered that the meeting was to intimate Tinubu on their efforts to resolve the impasse.
The convivial atmosphere before and after the meeting indicated a thaw in the crisis, possibly paving the way for the suspended Rivers State executive and legislative arms of government to be reinstated at the expiration of the initial six months of emergency rule in September.
Tinubu had based his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking any action.
Speaking after the meeting, Fubara expressed optimism that the meeting would restore peace to the state, adding that with the agreement reached, the needed peace has finally returned.
He stated: “For me, it’s very important that this day has come. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned to Rivers State.
“We will do everything within our power to ensure that we sustain it this time around.”
