Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has called on his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to relinquish any control he desires over the state and allow peace to prevail.
Fubara made the plea during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, in the wake of heightened tensions following the recent local government elections in the state.
“I have all the guts to do these things,” Fubara said, referring to his decision to conduct the local government elections last Saturday, despite resistance from Wike’s allies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor expressed frustration that despite his efforts to maintain peace in Rivers State, the situation continues to escalate.
“There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign. I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg that let’s allow this issue to go. I have done everything,” he said.
In a direct message to Wike, Fubara urged his predecessor to let go of lingering disputes.
“It has gotten to a point where he needs to let go. We need peace in this state,” the governor emphasized.
“You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights; at times, you just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers State and the love that you have always professed for the state. We need to secure the state.”
Fubara also stressed that, despite allegations, he had no involvement in the violent destruction of local government secretariats, which were set ablaze by political opponents.
He explained that he had raised concerns on Sunday evening, after swearing in the 23 newly elected local government chairpersons, that some aggrieved political actors were plotting to disrupt the peace in the state.
The governor called for unity, noting that Rivers State’s future should not be jeopardized by personal grievances.
“Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going to come? It might be through him or through another person but we need to secure the state,” he said.
Governor Fubara’s comments come amidst ongoing political tension and clashes that have marred the post-election atmosphere in Rivers State.