Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has defended the recent reconciliation between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, describing the peace deal as painful but essential for the state’s progress.
According to The PUNCH, Fubara addressing members of his political base, the “Simplified Family,” in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Fubara called for calm and understanding, urging his supporters to accept the terms of the truce with the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“This is not about me,” Fubara told the gathering. “It is about the development of our state. We’ve lost time, and many projects have been abandoned because of this crisis. If peace is the way forward, then we must embrace it—even if it’s bitter.”
He explained that the reconciliation came after a series of meetings, including one with President Bola Tinubu, who had urged both political leaders to resolve their differences.
“President Tinubu told me clearly, ‘I want you and your oga to settle.’ And I believe if we must move forward in Rivers, this is the right thing to do,” Fubara said.
Acknowledging the strained relationship between him and Wike, Fubara noted that, despite their disagreements, he still recognizes Wike’s political contributions.
“We may have had our differences, but no one can erase the role he played or the risks he took. I’ve also had my own share of pain, but reconciliation demands sacrifice,” the governor added.
He assured his loyalists that he would not abandon them, even as the state seeks lasting peace. “This is the moment for me to show I truly care. No one will be left behind.”
While he described the conditions attached to the reconciliation as “heavy and bitter,” Fubara emphasized that they are necessary for unity and progress.
“Without genuine reconciliation, the President cannot intervene effectively, and we can’t achieve meaningful development,” he stated.
Quoting a local proverb to buttress his point, Fubara said: “In my place, there’s a fish called ‘Atabala’—you know it as tilapia. The mother tells her children: ‘If you want to grow to my size, you must hide your head in the mud.’ That’s wisdom. Sometimes, we must humble ourselves to grow.”
The governor urged all stakeholders and supporters to support the peace initiative, stressing that now is the time to work as one for the benefit of Rivers State.
“We’ve fought, we’ve made our points, but now is the time for peace. Let’s accept it and move forward,” Fubara concluded.
