Former President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the warring political leaders in Rivers state to embrace peace.
Jonathan who stated this on Monday 20th May during the unveiling of the Trans-Kalabari Road in the state, stressed that incessant battles between governors and their predecessors are now becoming a disturbing trend in the country while insisting that the recurrence would not augur well for their followers and residents of the affected states.
“Outgoing governors and incoming governors must know that they work together for the collective interest of the citizens of the state, and that is critical.
“In the case of Rivers, Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara must work together to develop the land and people of Rivers State. The tension will not help us.
“So, I urge political actors; you must work together if you love the Rivers people. I join the leaders of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians who have been calling for a truce and ceasefire to also reemphasise that there is a need for a ceasefire.
“Let us do things that would rather project the state.
“We call on them [Wike and Fubara] to embrace themselves. One hand does not clap. It takes two hands to clap. So, we want them to work together for the collective interest.
“Transition in Nigeria is becoming a problem. At the centre, presidents have taken over from presidents. They are always issues, but at the state level, it is becoming noisy, and I feel that that is not the best.”
It would be recalled that the former governor and current minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and his successor Siminalayi Fubara have been in a long-standing feud, with President Bola Tinubu intervening to douse the tension brewing in the state.
Meanwhile, last week, about five pro-Wike commissioners resigned for the second time, citing hostility in their work environment. They joined the other four who had resigned earlier.
Fubara who vowed to probe the past government in the state also moved the state assembly to a wing in the government house to forestall any possible move of impeachment by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT minister.
