In a peace meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Tinubu expressed his concerns over the recent political developments in Rivers State, particularly addressing Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The meeting, attended by key stakeholders including former Governor Nyesom Wike, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and others, witnessed a candid discussion on the state’s political landscape.
Sources present at the meeting confirmed to Premium Times that President Tinubu, while acknowledging his commitment to democracy, criticized Governor Fubara for the controversial demolition of the Rivers House of Assembly Complex. Tinubu denounced the act as a “desecration of democracy” and emphasized the importance of preserving democratic symbols.
During the meeting, President Tinubu drew parallels with his own experience as the former governor of Lagos State, highlighting how he resolved conflicts with the state assembly amicably. He urged all parties involved in the Rivers crisis to uphold peace and adhere to the country’s legal processes.
Addressing the concerns surrounding the demolition of the assembly complex, Governor Fubara had previously claimed that it was necessitated by structural concerns following an explosion and fire incident in October. However, speculations persist that the demolition was a strategic move to thwart the impeachment process against the governor.
In an effort to foster reconciliation, a peace deal was proposed between Governor Fubara and Wike. The terms included reappointing officials who had resigned from Wike’s government, allowing lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC to return to the assembly, and revisiting the state’s 2024 budget, which had already been signed into law.
While acknowledging the potential power shift in Rivers State, sources indicated that President Tinubu emphasized the need to afford Governor Fubara another chance, urging restraint from taking actions outside the legal framework. The president cited his own experience with political disagreements, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the electoral process for a mandate renewal.
The peace meeting concluded with a call for all parties to prioritize dialogue and adhere to legal avenues in resolving the political impasse in Rivers State.
