The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong optimism that the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State is nearing a lasting resolution, following what he described as a decisive intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike spoke to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting several ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT.
He highlighted President Tinubu’s role as a unifying national figure, noting that his leadership was instrumental in easing tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.
“I believe that by the grace of God, this will be the last time the president will be bothered with this issue and that this will be the last time the Rivers people will need to hear this kind of discord,” Wike said.
Emphasising the authority of presidential intervention, the FCT minister described Tinubu’s counsel as binding on all parties involved.
“The president is the father of the nation, and when a father speaks, his children must listen and do the needful to ensure peace and progress,” he added.
Wike expressed confidence that the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara would act responsibly in line with the agreement reached during the peace talks.
“The House of Assembly will do what they are supposed to do, and I am confident that the governor will also carry out the acts required of him to ensure this peace is sustainable,” he said.
He stressed that political stability and development must now take precedence over disagreements in the state.
“The most important thing is for Rivers State to move forward, and we are grateful to Mr President for his tireless commitment to ensuring that we reach this understanding,” Wike noted.
The political crisis escalated after the Rivers State House of Assembly, widely perceived as loyal to Wike, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
In a bid to restore calm, President Tinubu on Monday summoned Wike and Fubara to the Presidential Villa, where he personally mediated between the parties.
