The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has constituted a nine-member peace committee to mediate in the ongoing political crisis in the state involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Gatekeepers News reports that the crisis, which has continued to deepen political divisions in Rivers State, is rooted in a prolonged feud between the governor and his predecessor.
The constitution of the committee was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, the Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom and chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
According to the statement, the committee is chaired by Suanu T. Y. Baridam, with Eze Nwachukwu Nnam Obi serving as co-chairman.
The committee has been mandated to engage relevant stakeholders and propose lasting solutions aimed at restoring peace and political stability in Rivers State.
Other members of the committee are Uchechukwu Isaiah-Elikwu, Leslie Eke, Samuel Amaechi, Felix Otuwarikpo, Onyekachi Amaonwu, Agolia Aboko and Eze Nwankwo Nwankwo, while Darlington Owiriwa will serve as secretary.
The council also appealed to supporters of the parties involved, social media users and the general public to exercise restraint in their comments and actions, warning against statements capable of escalating tensions or disrupting public peace.
The political crisis escalated in December when Wike reportedly began campaigning against Fubara’s re-election, accusing the governor of breaching an agreement they both signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State.
Lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Wike have also accused the governor of spending state funds without legislative approval.
