As the fallout between a former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara assumes a more overt dimension, Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan has called for ceasefire between them.

Jonathan made this call on Monday, May 20, 2024 during the flag off of the Trans-Kalabari Road at Rumuolumeni Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The former President said he was joining other well-meaning Nigerians to call for a truce between Wike and Fubara, stressing that a decline of political tensions in Rivers State was inevitable as any crisis in the State would have both regional and national implications.

“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 that have been calling for truce and ceasefire to also reemphasise that there is a need for a ceasefire. Let us do things that would rather project the state.

“I therefore join well-meaning Nigerians that have been calling for truce and ceasefire to re-emphasize that there is need for ceasefire. Let us do things that will better project the state.”

He enunciated on the need for peace between the former Governor and his successor to achieve development in Rivers State.

“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.

The former President, who described Rivers State as “the heart of the Niger Delta,” said destabilization of Rivers State will invariably mean a destabilization of the Niger Delta, calling for a truce between the political actors.

“Rivers State is very critical in this country. Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta. If River State is destabilised, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilised.

“And it will not end within the Niger Delta alone because I am from this part of the country and I know how the system works and we don’t want any crisis in Rivers State.

He likened the two main political actors to hands that cannot clap individually but need each other to render the needed applause.

“We are calling 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.

Rivers State has witnessed a spate of political turmoil since Monday, October 30, 2023 when some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, attempted to impeach Governor Fubara.

That event set off a string of actions that have engendered a crisis situation in the State for months now, thus making the call by the statesman apt at this time.