Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday sued for peace in Rivers State and moved to settle the political rift between the State Governor, Simi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Jonathan was in the state for the unveiling of Trans-Kalabari Road.
Recall Fubara and Wike have been battling for control of Rivers Politics with the latter blaming the former for not honouring an agreement entered before he became governor.
Jonathan, who was also vice president said the crisis which has led to the burning and closure of the State Assembly complex and mass resignation of commissioners who are loyal to Wike does not augur well for the people of the state.
Jonathan urged both politicians to work together, lamenting the incessant battles between governors and their predecessors.
“Outgoing governors and incoming governors must know that they work together for the collective interest of the citizens of the state, and that is critical,” Jonathan, who lost his reelection bid in 2015 said.
He stated that, “In the case of Rivers, Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara must work together to develop the land and people of Rivers State. The tension will not help us.
“So, I urge political actors; you must work together if you love the Rivers people. I join the leaders of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians who have been calling for a truce and ceasefire to also re-emphasise that there is a need for a ceasefire.
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“Let us do things that would rather project the state.
“We call on them [Wike and Fubara] to embrace themselves. One hand does not clap. It takes two hands to clap. So, we want them to work together for the collective interest.
“Transition in Nigeria is becoming a problem. At the centre, presidents have taken over from presidents. They are always issues, but at the state level, it is becoming noisy, and I feel that that is not the best.”
Recall that Wike and Fubara have been in a long-standing feud, with President Bola Tinubu intervening to douse the tension brewing in the state.
Last week, about five pro-Wike commissioners resigned for the second time, citing hostility in their working environment. They joined the other four who had resigned earlier.
Fubara also moved the state assembly to a wing in the government house to forestall any possible move of impeachment by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT minister.