As the political crisis in Rivers state worsens, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, a founding member and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and coordinator of the Concerned Rivers for Peace Initiative, has urged the warring factions to cease hostilities and focus on finding solutions that will return the state to its people.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state, due to a political crisis that allegedly led to the bombing of oil sites and violent destruction of public property, has been followed by the appointment of Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, former Chief of Naval Staff from Akwa Ibom state, as the Sole Administrator.
This comes after the suspension of State Governor Siminaliayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“In view of the caliber of very prominent citizens produced by the state, it is sad that the state is allowed to go into crisis for several months following the disagreement between the suspended governor Fubara and his estranged political God-father and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike”.
Ambassador Dagogo advised actors to focus on state reclamation measures rather than engaging in ongoing allegations and counter-allegations.
Additionally, Fubara called on the newly appointed Sole Administrator to view his appointment as an opportunity to contribute to the peace restoration process in Rivers state, noting that history will remember him if he succeeds.
Furthermore, Fubara appealed to President Bola Tinubu to continue his fatherly role in ensuring lasting peace in crisis-ridden Rivers state, saving it from descending into anarchy and killings due to the lingering political conflict.
He said, “this is the time for all concerned stakeholders in our dear Rivers state to join hands to reclaim the state.
“Rivers has always remained the economic hub of Nigeria with its numerous oil wealth that has driven the nations economy, it is disheartening that rather than reaping from its God given strategic location in Nigeria, stakeholders have allowed sentiments and selfish pursuits to deny the citizens the dividends of its strategic location.
“At this present situation, we must avoid camps, factions and sentiments, and forge a United front to reclaim our dear state. It’s regrettable that Rivers state with its array of award winning political actors and administrators, has been thrown into an emergency rule, under a military administrator.
“I must also while thumbing up president Tinubu for his fatherly intervention, call on the sole administrator, to see his appointment as a call to unleash his expertise and experience to return peace to the troubled state . This is an opportunity for him to put his name in the positive side of the history of the state, after his exploits in the military.
“A peaceful Rivers state would no doubt be in the best interest of all well meaning citizens of the state and above all His Excellency President Tinubu ahead of his re-election bid in 2027. APC would really need the Rivers vote to consolidate on the Renewed Hope Agenda in the upcoming election”, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo warned.
