Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara has called on stakeholders to embrace peace for the greater good of the state and its development.
Addressing a gathering of his supporters, Fubara emphasized the importance of unity, acknowledging the challenges but urging all parties to prioritize progress over personal grievances.
“I had a meeting with you on the 29th of May, 2025, here, and in that meeting, I did inform you that we are in a peace process,” Fubara began.
“I know — and not just being in the process — I said it’s ongoing. I called for this meeting to address you formally, for you to have the first-hand information. It’s not the one you are reading in the paper; it’s not the one you are seeing on social media or wherever — you are now hearing from me.”he said.
The Governor highlighted the efforts made so far in their collective struggle, suggesting that peace was the only viable solution at this point.
“We have fought. I think, in my own assessment and in the assessment of anyone here who is genuine in this struggle, you will know that we have done what we need to do. At this point, if you want to be truthful to yourself, the only solution is peace. I did say that there’s no price that is too big for peace — I meant it, and I’m still ready to follow it to the end.” he said.
Fubara lauded the role played by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, in facilitating peace, despite their past differences.
“Nobody can take away the role the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, played — that’s the truth. Yes, we might have our differences, but nobody here will say he doesn’t know the role he played. Nobody can wish away the risk he took. Yes, at a point we had our differences and if today there’s a need for us to settle, please, anyone who genuinely believes in me should understand that it’s the right thing to do.” he explained.
He underscored the significance of direct reconciliation over mediated peace.
“So, my dear fathers, brothers, and sisters, no matter the level of peace that a mediator will arrange, the true peace is the one where both of you are sitting down together to say, ‘Yes, this is what we want.’ At this point, I’ve met him and we have spoken. You can’t take away the fact that he’s hurt — he’s a human being. I also have my own share of pains too.” Fubara stated.
Addressing the wider implications of the crisis, Fubara appealed for unity to support the President and revive abandoned projects in the state.
“If we believe that we are in one family and our interest is to support the President, then what is the issue? In the midst of this crisis between me and the FCT Minister, look at the projects we’ve initiated. Many have been abandoned. We know the progress we would have recorded and the areas that would have been developed. So, there’s need for this peace — that’s the truth.” he said.
Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to his people, vowing not to abandon them regardless of the circumstances.
He continued “I can’t abandon you people — that’s one thing I need to say here. This is the time for me to prove to you that I care for you, and I make my commitment here that whichever way it goes, I will not abandon anybody. But the sacrifice that we are going to make for us to achieve this total peace is going to be heavy, and I want everybody to prepare for it.”
He stressed that reconciliation was essential for progress and appealed to all parties to embrace peace, regardless of their feelings or perceptions.
“Without a total reconciliation — which, by the grace of God, the both of us have gotten to — there’s no way we can make progress in this state. There’s no way the President can come in to save the situation. So, I want to appeal to everyone — I have accepted that we must accept this peace, no matter how it looks, no matter how you feel, we must accept it.” he noted.
Fubara illustrated his point with a metaphor, emphasizing the importance of humility and compromise.
“In my place, there’s a fish they call Atabala — you call it Tilapia. The native Tilapia doesn’t grow big. The mother Tilapia used to tell the kids that if you want to grow up to my own size, hide your head inside the mud. Every one of us should understand that at this time, we’ve done our best, and what we need now is this peace so that we can grow. I know it’s difficult and heavy, but that’s the true situation.” he explained.
