The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the recent peace pact signed by critical stakeholders in the political tussle in the state is not a “death sentence”.
Fubara said this in a Christmas message to residents on Monday.
Last Monday, President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting of Rivers State stakeholders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where a peace agreement was brokered to end the supremacy tussle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Among other terms, the peace deal directed the withdrawal of all court cases filed on the crisis and for the Rivers governor to allow 25 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue with their legislative duties, among others.
Fubara, Wike, Peter Odilli, a former governor of the state, and other political leaders in the state attended the meeting.
However, some Rivers State elders and political commentators queried why the governor signed the peace deal they deemed antithetical to his political interest.
Reacting, Fubara said that having taken some time to study the terms, he concluded that the peace pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it.
“It is certainly not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear state,” the governor said.
He thanked the president for “wading into the near crisis situation that almost punctuated the prevailing peace in our dear state”.
Fubara said, “Mr. President’s Peace Proclamation has naturally elicited mixed reactions from our people and across the country.
“As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the Peace Pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly, not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our dear State.
“Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the Presidential Peace Proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear State without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values.
“Already, both parties have demonstrated some good faith in the implementation process with the withdrawal of the purported impeachment notice on their part, and the release of hitherto withheld allowances of the members of the State House of Assembly by the Government.
“I have said before, there is no price too much to pay for peace. And with the realization that the worst peace is better than the best war, we will strive to make peace with all segments and interest groups without surrendering our freedom nor jeopardizing the interest and well-being of the good people of Rivers State who graciously entrusted us with their cherished mandate.”
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