Rivers crisis: Focus on development, Diri advises Fubara

In light of the recent political unrest roiling his state, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has counseled Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to be patient and tolerant.

In order for Fubara’s plan to create the state to come to pass, he also urged him to be committed to his goals and fight for peace.

When Fubara and a powerful entourage paid Diri a visit at his rural home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area Area, on Wednesday, Diri delivered the advice.

Fubara visited Bayelsa State for the first time on official business since taking office on May 29, 2023. Among the notable individuals present during the Rivers governor’s visit was Seriake Dickson, the senator from Bayelsa West and Diri’s predecessor in the National Assembly.

Daniel Alabrah, the chief press secretary for Diri, was quoted in a statement released on Thursday as saying that no progress can occur in a place where there is a crisis and that peace is vital.

Rivers and Bayelsa have a long-standing brotherly bond, according to Diri, who also mentioned that he had been worried about the political unrest in Rivers and had been working behind the scenes to bring peace back to the state.

The PUNCH says that 27 lawmakers who support former governor Nyesom Wike have moved to impeach Fubara, throwing Rivers State into a political impasse.

As the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Wike accused Fubara of betraying him and demolishing the political system that he had established.

However, in a speech on Wednesday, Diri issued a warning against adding ethnic coloration to the Rivers situation. He maintained that the Ikwerre of Rivers and the Ijaw of Bayelsa and Rivers were one people and could not afford to fight each other since doing so would be like a pointless conflict between brothers.

In order for Fubara to bring growth to the people of his state, Diri also asked him to exercise patience and tolerance.

Diri appreciated Fubara’s offer of friendly talks to resolve the legal disputes between the two states, but he also stated his desire to develop better ties with the Rivers governor for the benefit of both states.

“Bayelsa and rivers are one and the same,” declared the governor. That is the reason we made secret efforts to maintain peace in your state throughout the political unrest. Bayelsa is impacted by what impacts Rivers.

“In my opinion, Rivers State needs to be peaceful. God should give you the discernment to lead. You need to be tolerant and patient right now. Additionally, you ought to speak with God, and He will lead you.

“I told some individuals no when they attempted to add ethnic coloration to the crisis. To enable the governor to concentrate on providing his people with development, we should all work toward peace rather than escalating the conflict. I make my plea for peace and understanding once more in order for both states to advance.

“I’m sure you’ve been briefed on some of the matters we have in court. You mentioned that we should discuss our problems for this reason. I’m ready to talk about finding a solution with your government.

“People must be the focus of our politics. We serve God and our people when we do them well. We also need to get together more frequently to look into areas where both states stand to gain.

Fubara stated in his remarks that he was visiting to promote harmony and look for places where the two states could work together.

He stated that the recent crisis in Rivers was regrettable and that the problems were being resolved because his administration was concentrated on the state’s development. He claimed that the two states shared a great deal in common and could not afford to work against each other.

Fubara expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa people for their support and promised to strengthen ties with Diri so that both states could advance.

As brothers, he insisted that a peaceful resolution could be found to the problems threatening to split them, and he declared that Rivers was eager to talk and address all the legal concerns facing both states.

“There is no difference between Rivers and Bayelsa,” declared Fubara. Bayelsa was established with development in mind. We are all the same individual.

“I’m here for a meeting on unification. We are here to inform our brother that cooperation is desired in order to achieve the shared goal of both states’ growth.

Many items are jointly owned by the two states. We must get together and resolve everything. We are not capable of developing under a crisis. The key component of progress is peace.

“We are grateful to the Bayelsa people for their support at this difficult time. All that impacts Rivers has an impact on Bayelsa. But because of our strategic location, Nigeria also needs peace in the Rivers.