By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Concerned Citizens of Rivers State (CC23) has appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike and their supporters to uphold and abide by the terms of the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
“We urge both parties to conscientiously uphold and abide by the terms of the peace deal.
“We urge them to leverage Mr. President’s intervention, put aside their differences, and bury the hatchet, to advance the peace, security, progress, and development of our dear Rivers State,” the Port-Harcourt-based group pleaded.
The group further appealed to all political actors, third parties, and interest groups within and outside Rivers State, to stop all narratives capable of impairing the ongoing peace process in the state.
The appeal was made in a statement collectively signed by Chief Victor Oleh, Hon. Goodluck Braide, Dr. Ken Robinson, Chief Barr. Obo Osaro, Chief Lucky Ekeji (PhD), Comrade Chile Elechi, Hon. Chaka Ezekiel, and Chief Ikashi Awali.
Others were: Innocent Iroegbu, Mrs. Nancy Bob Manuel, Comrade Chioma Atuzie, Sir Innocent Abiacks, Princess Jane Peters, Alhaji Moshood Abiola, Prof. Prince Ordu (Diaspora) and Christopher Nwachukwu.
The statement titled “No Sacrifice Is Too Much For Peace,” was obtained on Thursday in Warri, Delta State.
The group commended President Tinubu for his fatherly intervention and Governor Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for submitting themselves to the peace initiative which, it noted, is beginning to yield some results.
While pleading with all aggrieved stakeholders, the group said Governor Fubara “should be allowed to harmoniously work with the Rivers State House of Assembly, and his cabinet, to foster the development of the State, and effectively provide the dividends of democracy to Rivers people.”
“We, the Concerned Citizens of Rivers State (CC 23), comprising professionals, activists, community leaders, businessmen, and women, hereby, wholeheartedly, thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly and timely intervention in the political crisis of Rivers State, which has mollified the tension in the State and provided a leeway for the peaceful and amicable resolution of the dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“We have carefully appraised the resolutions reached at the mediatory meeting of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honourable Minister of the FCT and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, and others; the outcome is a win-win situation; no victor, no vanquished!
“We salute the nationalistic bearing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his political sagacity, wisdom, and deep-rooted love for the nation, and our democracy. Certainly, a Daniel come to judgment!
“We equally commend the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara for submitting themselves to Mr. President’s mediation.
“We urge both parties to conscientiously uphold and abide by the terms of the peace deal.
“We urge them to leverage Mr. President’s intervention, put aside their differences, and bury the hatchet, to advance the peace, security, progress, and development of our dear Rivers State.
“Gladly, steps indicative of commitment to the process have already been taken by both sides.
“We are conscious of the fact that if the situation precipitates a full-blown crisis, it will be the people of Rivers State who will bear the brunt of the consequences.
“We, therefore, call on the good people of Rivers State, irrespective of their inclinations, especially, the youths, to shun all actions, assertions, and tendencies that would reignite the settling crisis.
“Likewise, appeal to all political actors, third parties, and interest groups within and outside Rivers State, to stop all narratives capable of impairing the peace process.
“Governor Siminalayi Fubara should be allowed to harmoniously work with the Rivers State House of Assembly, and his cabinet, to foster the development of the State, and effectively provide the dividends of democracy to Rivers people.”
The group further noted that “any attempt to further stoke the watershed will not only be detrimental to the peace and stability of Rivers State, but the entire Niger Delta region, and by extension, the country as a whole.”
Describing as soothing the words of peace which Gov Fubara has made in his messages to Rivers people in the twilight of November 3, 2023, and on Tuesday, 19th December 2023 at the 3rd Convocation and 6th Founder’s Day Ceremonies of PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he asserted that “There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure that peace prevails,” in the state, the group sued for peace.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara had in his message to Rivers people in the twilight of November 3, 2023, rightly adduced, and we take the liberty to cite; “There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure that peace reigns in Rivers State.”
‘I am a man of peace and as governor; the advancement of our state is my primary concern. Consequently, no sacrifice is too much for me to make to achieve this objective.’
“On Tuesday, 19th December 2023, speaking at the 3rd Convocation and 6th Founder’s Day Ceremonies of PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Governor Fubara was reported to have reiterated: ‘There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure that peace prevails.’
“We treasure these words of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and earnestly implore His Excellency to jealously guard and uphold them. Posterity will pronounce him “A NOBLE MAN OF PEACE”, who placed concerns of the State and Nation above other considerations,” CC23 enthused.
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