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

• 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 sought unity between Rivers and Bayelsa state

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

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

Fubara moves to take charge of Rivers state fully

The Rivers state governor who had a tough time out with his political boss, Nyesom Wike, in previous weeks, 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.

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

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

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 courts.

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.

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 hail 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, Governor Fubara opens up

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.

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