Don’t Politicize Rivers Peace Talks, Ex-IYC Leader Warns Fubara

Former Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide President, Udengs Eradiri, has urged suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to avoid politicizing the reconciliation process necessary for restoring stable governance in the state.

In a statement released from Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Eradiri accused Fubara of lacking sincerity and commitment to meaningful reconciliation. He expressed disappointment that, since meeting with his political mentor and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, the governor had not followed up with critical stakeholders, including the suspended State Assembly, disaffected local government leaders, and prominent elders.

Eradiri referred to Wike’s recent media remarks, where the minister accused Fubara of conducting a superficial peace process via media channels rather than engaging directly with involved parties. He criticized the governor’s supporters for engaging in public theatrics that undermine serious reconciliation efforts.

The former Bayelsa Commissioner called on Fubara to lead with maturity and take ownership of the peace initiative, emphasizing that without a genuine reconciliation effort, any reinstatement could trigger renewed hostility and even impeachment.

He further advised the governor to reach out to fellow Peoples Democratic Party governors to seek the withdrawal of their Supreme Court case concerning a potential emergency rule — a move he said is beyond President Tinubu’s control due to its legal status.

Eradiri warned that unless reconciliation efforts are intensified and broadened, Rivers State could relapse into political instability, rendering the previous emergency intervention ineffective.