Photo: Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of FCT and Rivers Governor respectively
By Sadeeq Kamsela, Abuja and Deborah Sunday
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday told advised Niger Delta leaders to impress on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on the need to fully implement the Supreme Court ruling on the political crisis in Rivers State.
The President said Fubara must take responsibility for peace in the state, make sacrifices for its progress, and respect the constitution
President Tinubu was responding to an appeal by South-South political leaders under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Presidential Villa, urging him to wade into the raging crisis between the governor and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
Tinubu highlighted the necessity of upholding the rule of law in Rivers State to ensure long-term peace and prosperity, emphasising the importance of respecting judicial decisions, while calling on leaders to intervene, both privately and publicly, to counsel the governor towards peace and stability.
The President, who was unimpressed by the sole of some of the state’s leaders in the crisis, recalled that he had earlier intervened in the crisis, noting that despite signing the peace deal, the governor was misled into nitpicking in his implementation.
He said with the crisis having gone through the full legal circle, the onus now lies on the governor to ensure peace by totally abiding by the rulings of the Supreme Court, which delivered its judgment on February 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, the President also reaffirmed his commitment to community development, particularly initiatives benefiting citizens, and assured the leaders that he had carefully considered the situation. He stated that democracy should not cause suffering in Rivers State and urged them to work together for a peaceful resolution.
Tinubu expressed gratitude for the support he had received during his campaign and reiterated his goal of reestablishing Nigeria’s economic stability, even as he underscored the significance of the Niger Delta region to the country’s continued prosperity.
He praised the leadership of the Niger Delta for their resilience and acknowledged the progress being made on key development projects like the coastal road.
It would be recalled that Naija Daily News had reported that King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked the President for his efforts to support the South-South and reaffirmed the region’s backing.
Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, called for more attention to the political crises in Rivers State, warning that instability in the region threatened national peace. He also praised Tinubu’s focus on power devolution, regional development, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has assured of his administration’s desire to implement the apex court judgment on the political crisis in the State.
The Governor maintained that what is important, in all of the happenings that had been witnessed, has been the protection of the interest of Rivers State because it must be above whatever personal interest that anybody could hold and canvass.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance during the inauguaration of the new Judges’ Quarters, a housing facility completed by his administration for Judges indigenous to Rivers State by birth or marriage, at Old GRA, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area on Tuesday.
The Governor explained: “It has not been an easy 16 months, but what is important is the interest of our State, which must be above our personal interest.
“I want to say it here, very loud and clear to everyone, the Supreme Court has given a judgement, my administration is going to implement the judgement to its fullest. The reason is clear: It is not about me, it is about the good of this State.”
