Fubara and Wike
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has thanked President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in the Rivers State crisis involving Governor Sim Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, calling on all parties to sheathe their sword.
The PDP governors had met in Abuja on Tuesday hours after Tinubu intervened between former Governor of the state and now Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike and Fubara. A brewing cold war between the two was said to be at the root of the political upheaval that rocked Rivers between Sunday and Monday leading to the removal of the Speaker and installation of another.
A communique signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed on Tuesday evening after their meeting at the Oyo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja reads in part:
“The PDP Governors were alarmed at the recent developments in Rivers State and welcome the intervention of Mr. President to bring the crises to an end.
“The meeting urged all parties to the Rivers State crises to sheath their sword and resort to peaceful means of resolution. The Forum further offers its platform for a quick and just containment of the issues involved.”
Recall that a factional speaker has since emerged in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the leader of the House Edison Ehie also removed after he was accused of masterminding the fire incident at the Assembly complex late Sunday.
Following the crisis, President Tinubu convened a meeting with Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike.
Wike who had earlier met with a delegation of South-South leaders in Abuja on the same day had assured that the PDP will resolve the matter amicably.
Wike’s pledge followed a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party which urged the parties to sheathe their sword for the sake of peace in the polity.
The PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba in a statement said the party has “commenced processes, using the Party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure that all matters and areas of disagreement are addressed.
“The NWC therefore charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, and members of our great Party in Rivers State to close ranks, unite, and focus on the onerous task of governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people,” the statement said.
Wike is seen as the political godfather of Fubara and was instrumental for his picking the PDP ticket at the primary and his victory at the guber poll.
