PORTHARCOURT: The political crisis in Rivers State has sparked intense reactions following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to mediate between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The directive has drawn mixed responses from key stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, criticized Tinubu’s approach, alleging that the President openly sided with Wike. He stated that Tinubu’s remarks at the Abuja meeting humiliated PANDEF leaders and emboldened Wike.
“What the President did was to strengthen Wike’s position, which became evident in the FCT Minister’s media chat the following day. While the President called for peace, his actions suggest favoritism towards Wike,” Okaba remarked.
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The INC President emphasized that sustainable peace in Rivers State requires fairness, adding, “The Ijaw people will not accept any attempt to truncate Fubara’s tenure. If Tinubu is serious about peace, he must call Wike to order.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Akwa Ibom Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, argued that the President’s directive for Fubara to obey the Supreme Court ruling was redundant.
Fubara has no choice but to obey the court. The President’s statement was more symbolic than necessary. The real issue is the obstruction by the lawmakers who refused to allow the governor to present the 2025 budget,” Nwoko observed.
Niger Delta activist, Zik Gbemre, expressed skepticism about PANDEF’s ability to mediate, citing its Ijaw dominance.
Wike’s camp will not trust PANDEF’s mediation because the group has been biased in favor of Fubara. The crisis has become an ethnic battle between Ijaw and Ikwerre,” he noted, adding that even President Tinubu’s intervention appears insincere.
Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, defended Fubara’s stance, stating that the governor is prioritizing the interests of Rivers people over political deals.
“The crisis stems from Fubara’s refusal to compromise on governance. If he were a dealmaker, there would be no impasse,” Dakolo said.
Development consultant Furoebi Akene accused President Tinubu of setting a trap for PANDEF leaders by publicly reaffirming his trust in the judiciary.
“The judiciary’s credibility has been eroded. For Tinubu to say he has confidence in it is an indirect ambush for PANDEF,” he argued.
Former Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Senator Chris Ekpenyong, questioned the Supreme Court’s ruling on defection, stating that it contradicted previous judgments.
The court’s decision to allow defected lawmakers to retain their seats is baffling. It prioritizes personal interests over public good,” he stated.
Bayelsa Civil Liberties Organization Chairman, David West, urged Tinubu to directly engage Fubara and the 27 lawmakers, just as he did in Lagos.
Mr. President should invite all parties to Aso Rock and issue direct orders for cooperation. Delegating the matter to stakeholders will not resolve the crisis,” he emphasized.
The crisis in Rivers State remains unresolved as divergent opinions continue to emerge. While some believe the President’s intervention is a step in the right direction, others argue that it lacks neutrality and risks exacerbating the conflict.
Moving forward, stakeholders urge Tinubu to adopt a more inclusive and strategic approach to ensure lasting peace in Rivers State.
