By Kolawole Ojebisi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the rift between him and his successor and suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has been settled.
Wike said that both parties agreed to sheathe their swords following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu who brokered a peace meeting between them in Abuja.
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) spoke to journalists after the closed-door meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,
According to Wike both camps had reached a final agreement to end hostilities and work in unity.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family.
.“Yes, just like humans, you have a disagreement, and then you also have a time to settle your disagreement.
“And that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr. President, that is what we have agreed. So for me, everything is over,” Wike said.
“And I enjoin everybody who believes to work with us, to also work together with everybody, that there’s no more acrimony. There’s nothing to say.” the minister added while urging loyalists to toe the path of peace.
In a similar vein, Fubara also confirmed that a truce had been brokered by Tinubu describing the development as a crucial turning point for Rivers’ State.
“For me, it’s a day we have to thank Almighty God. For me, it’s very important that this day has come to be,” Fubara said.
He added, “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, our leader, peace has returned in Rivers State.”
“We’ll do everything within our power to make sure that we sustain it this time around.” Fubara further promised.
Recall that Wike and Fubara were embroiled in a supremacy battle which led to the polarisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
The rift between the duo spilled over to the State House of Assembly.
The crisis spiralled out of control, leading to a series of litigations with the Supreme Court resolving the case in favour of the pro-Wike lawmakers.
But, the Supreme Court resolution sparked another round of crisis with the lawmakers and Wike threatening to impeach the Governor.
This is not the first time Tinubu would weigh in on the crisis in Rivers State.
About eighteen months ago in the heat of the crisis, Tinubu summoned both warring parties to Abuja in a bid to facilitate a truce.
The move worked but for some time as Fubara conceded several political appointments to Wike’s loyalists before the arrangement broke down and the rift degenerated.
However, with the development heating up the polity, Tinubu, in March declared a state of emergency in Rivers suspending the Governor, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly.
The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take over the helm of the oil-rich state.
