Rivers Crisis: Concerns for Wike As Fubara Visits Top PDP Governor, Allies

Rivers Crisis: Concerns for Wike As Fubara Visits Top PDP Governor, Allies

  • Governor Sim Fubara has made a bold move after settling his rift with his political boss, Nyesom Wike
  • The Rivers state governor has approached political bigwigs within his base and in other quarters, seeking support for more power
  • Beyond the quest for peace, Governor Fubara also wants unity between Rivers and Bayelsa state

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

To consolidate power, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state has begun to reach out to politicians within and outside the state.

Sim Fubara, Douye Diri, Rivers state, Bayelsa state
Governor Fubara holds crucial meeting with Douye Diri of Bayelsa state. Photo credit: Sir Siminalayi Fubara
Source: Facebook

Fubara moves to take charge of Rivers state fully

The Rivers state governor has moved to align and realign forces, whose association he thinks can help him navigate the maze of political crisis produced by the recent faceoff between him and his political boss, Nyesom Wike.

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Coalition hail Tinubu, Fubara over Rivers peace pact, gives reason

This came after Fubara said he was committed to implementing the eight-point presidential peace agreement addressing the political crisis in the state.

Fubara, on Thursday, January 4, visited the Bayelsa governor, Douye Diri, and Senator Azuta Mbata from Rivers state to seek further unity between the two states, THISDAY newspaper reported.

Rivers state crisis, Fubara, Wike, Douye Diri
Fubara reaches out to major allies in Bayelsa state after settling rift with Wike. Photo credit: Sir Siminalayi Fubara
Source: Facebook

During the visit, Fubara said he was willing to work with Diri to achieve a peaceful settlement of issues concerning property jointly owned by both states that were pending in court.

He said he visited Diri with some prominent leaders from Rivers state to underscore the importance of the unification meeting.

Fubara said:

“We cannot help one another in a situation of anarchy. Peace is the major ingredient for development.”

Reacting, Diri thanked Fubara for the visit and his initiative towards a mutually beneficial working arrangement with Bayelsa state, Arise News reported.

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He recalled the ongoing legal dispute at the Supreme Court between the two states over the disputed Soku oil wells and the Bayelsa House that was demolished in Rivers state.

Former governor of Bayelsa state, Diri’s predecessor, Dickson Seriake, was also at the meeting.

Coalition hails Tinubu, Fubara over Rivers peace pact

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu and Governor Fubara received praise for setting aside political differences to broker a peace agreement to advance Rivers state.

The Coalition of Minority and Indigenous Ethnic Groups in Africa expressed their appreciation during a press conference on Thursday, January 4.

Yakubu Dauda, the convener, commended President Tinubu and Governor Fubara for demonstrating sportsmanship and also lauded the governor for effectively implementing the agreement to restore peace in the state.

Why Rivers speaker resigned

In another report, Governor Fubara declared that the decisions taken by his administration in the evolving political crisis in the state were not borne out of fear or intimidation.

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Why Rivers Speaker resigned, Governor Fubara opens up

Recently, Edison Ehie resigned as a member representing Ahoada East in the Rivers State House of Assembly and as a factional speaker.

Legit.ng reports that Ehie is a loyalist of Governor Fubara and an erstwhile leader of a group of state lawmakers.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.