Uncertainty yesterday enveloped the reconciliation of the warring parties in the political crisis rocking Rivers state as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and the 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule who are at loggerheads with the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, shunned the 2024 New year state banquet held at Governent House, Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Wike and the lawmakers were said to have been invited but failed to attend the maiden banquet organised by Fubara’s administration.
Amaewhule’s photograph could be seen on page 5 of the programme booklet of the event.
Pundits say the absence of Wike and his group showed they were still nursing grudges.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Fubara appealed to Rivers people to embrace the ongoing peace process at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that his administration will not be enmeshed in any dirty political war that would hinder the promising prospects of development in the state.
He declared that the decisions taken by his administration in the evolving political crisis in the state were not borne out of fear, but for peace to reign in the state.
“Every decision that we’ve taken is not borne out of fear but because we have the interest of our people and we have respect for elders.
“I’m appealing to everyone of us to embrace the peace. We need this peace because our intention for the state is not for our personal interest but that of the development of the state”, the governor said.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Wenike Danagogo expressed gratitude to God that despite the political turbulence in the state, Governor Fubara is focused to dispense the dividends of democracy in the state.
He pointed out that Rivers State is blessed to have a governor that is “calculated, humble, honest and hardworking”, and urged Rivers people to be apostles of peace, truth and justice for the state to continue on a trajectory of greatness.
