Residents of Rivers State have urged the suspended Governor of the State, Siminalyi Fubara, to make public the conditions for the peace deal he entered with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The residents insisted that the situation was no longer about Fubara and Wike but about the entire citizens of the state, hence, the need to inform them of the cost of the reconciliation.

The people also asked President Bola Tinubu to lift the State of Emergency declared in the state on March 18, 2025, and immediately reinstate Governor Fubara, as they believed the reason for the emergency rule had been addressed following the reconciliation.

Recall that President Tinubu, in March, imposed a State of Emergency in the state, following the prolonged political crisis that had engulfed governance, development, and the economy of the state.

The emergency rule was declared after two peace deals proposed by the President failed. But on Thursday, June 26, the political gladiators, including the Speaker of the State Assembly, Martins Amaehule, met again with the President and reconciled.

On Saturday, the trio attended a public function in Rivers State, sitting close to each other. Fubara later addressed his supporters, informing them that the sacrifice for the peace agreement is “heavy,” but assured them that he has determined to pay any sacrifice for peace to reign.

The Governor’s speech has since sparked concerns from various quarters.

Residents of Rivers State have urged the suspended Governor of the State, Siminalyi Fubara, to make public the conditions for the peace deal he entered with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The residents insisted that the situation was no longer about Fubara and Wike but about the entire citizens of the state, hence, the need to inform them of the cost of the reconciliation.

The people also asked President Bola Tinubu to lift the State of Emergency declared in the state on March 18, 2025, and immediately reinstate Governor Fubara, as they believed the reason for the emergency rule had been addressed following the reconciliation.

Recall that President Tinubu, in March, imposed a State of Emergency in the state, following the prolonged political crisis that had engulfed governance, development, and the economy of the state.

The emergency rule was declared after two peace deals proposed by the President failed. But on Thursday, June 26, the political gladiators, including the Speaker of the State Assembly, Martins Amaehule, met again with the President and reconciled.

On Saturday, the trio attended a public function in Rivers State, sitting close to each other. Fubara later addressed his supporters, informing them that the sacrifice for the peace agreement is “heavy,” but assured them that he has determined to pay any sacrifice for peace to reign.

The Governor’s speech has since sparked concerns from various quarters.

Speaking, a lawyer, Mr. Justice Williams, believes that Fubara’s decision to reconcile with the FCT minister is not in the interest of the people of Rivers.

Williams insisted that the suspended Governor should inform people of the exact cost of the reconciliation.

“It is no longer about Fubara and Wike but about Rivers people. Yes, peace has come, but at what cost? We need to know. The peace deal behind the door, what is its agenda? Fubara should tell us the terms of the agreement reached,” said Williams.

Another citizen who didn’t disclose his name expressed concern that the body language of Fubara indicated that he did not negotiate the peace deal but was “cornered and coerced.”

He reminded Fubara that one of the alleged causes of the crisis was the strangulation of his administration by Wike, who insisted that the majority of the appointments must come from him, and certain amounts paid to him. He questioned if that is what he had signed up for again.

However, a civil rights activist, Celestine Akpobari, urged the President to lift the emergency rule in Rivers State, stating that following the reconciliation between the parties, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, no longer has any business remaining in Rivers State.

“If you are hired as a nurse to take care of a baby and the baby dies, the nurse should go because her job has ended. So, Ibas work has ended in Rivers State. It is time for him to go,” said Akpobari.

Speaking further, Akpobari urged Ibas not to touch the newly approved Rivers State budget, warning that CSOs and the citizens of the state will demand accountability for all funds released to the state.

He said, “The budget has just been approved, so Ibas should not touch one kobo out of it because he has not executed any project since he came, and he should account for whatever money he spent since he came. Apart from payment of salary, he hasn’t done anything.

“Ibas came and met over N200b in Rivers State Account, the budget has just been approved, Wike and Fubara have come together, so the President should call off the state of emergency because the reason for the emergency is no longer there.”

Akpobari applauded the President for his intervention in the state’s political crisis, which he noted would have otherwise led to bloodshed. He added, “Now that the disagreement has ended, the state of emergency is of no use anymore.”

He advised the gladiators to be intentional in sustaining peace in the state. He reminded them that history will not forget that it was Fubara and Wike who brought emergency rule to Rivers State.

“The political actors should know that their office is called a public office, not a personal office. Once you are elected into office, you forget personal interest, deliver good governance,” he added. (The Guardian)