The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to lift the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, citing recent political reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The call was made during a media briefing held on Thursday in Port Harcourt. The forum described the political crisis that plagued the state in recent months as a regrettable episode that deeply wounded the soul of Rivers State and “cast an undeserved shadow on our collective image, unity, progress, and prosperity.”
While expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for intervening in the conflict, the forum commended both Fubara and Wike for what it called a “show of maturity and courage” in choosing peace.
“This was exactly what we, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, had earnestly sought from the very beginning. Unfortunately, our initial efforts were not heeded, which necessitated our formal appeal to Mr President,” the forum stated.
Acting Chairman of the Forum, Alabo Toby, emphasized that their intervention was motivated purely by a commitment to safeguard the soul and dignity of Rivers State.
Although the details of the reconciliation agreement have not been made public, the forum expressed hope that the process is rooted in the 1999 Constitution and reflects strict adherence to the rule of law.
The elders also called on the relevant authorities to reinstate all suspended democratic structures and urged citizens of Rivers State to embrace the current peace as an opportunity for unity and collective progress.
