Governor Fubara Calls for Unity and Reconciliation Amid Political Crisis, Urges Supporters to Embrace Peace [VIDEO]

 

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has issued a passionate plea for unity and reconciliation during a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Addressing supporters and political allies under the umbrella of the “Simplified Movement,” the Governor opened his heart with rare vulnerability, stressing the need for peace over persistent conflict and political rivalry.

Speaking with clear conviction, Governor Fubara referenced his earlier meeting held on May 29, 2025, where he hinted at the beginning of a peace process. This latest engagement, however, was designed to be more direct. “I called for this meeting to address you formally,” he said. “It’s not what you read in the papers or what social media is spinning. Today, you are hearing it directly from me.”

He acknowledged the deeply rooted tensions that have engulfed the Rivers State political scene, particularly the fallout between him and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Though the rift has stirred strong emotions across the state and beyond, Governor Fubara took a bold step toward healing the division by extending an olive branch and appealing to his followers to rally around the cause of peace.

“We have fought,” he admitted candidly. “But at this point, if we are being honest with ourselves, the only path forward is peace.” He noted that the struggle had yielded its lessons, but also its limitations. “There’s no price too big for peace,” he affirmed, echoing a message he previously delivered and reaffirmed with solemnity.

Though political differences with Chief Wike had become widely publicized, Governor Fubara took a measured approach in acknowledging the former Governor's significance. “Nobody can take away the role the FCT Minister played. That’s the truth,” he said, adding that despite their differences, Wike's contributions to Rivers State’s development were undeniable. “He took risks. And even if we had issues later, it doesn’t erase the work he has done.”

This willingness to acknowledge past support, while navigating present tensions, struck a tone of maturity that many observers believe is necessary to move Rivers State beyond division. The Governor made it clear that reconciliation could not be left solely to mediators. True peace, he said, must come from the principal actors themselves. “The peace we need is the kind where both parties sit down and say, ‘Yes, this is what we want.’”

According to Fubara, such a meeting has already occurred. He confirmed that he and Wike had spoken personally, and both had shared their pain. “He’s hurt,” the Governor said of his predecessor. “And I have my own share of pain too.” However, he pointed to a broader objective that transcends personal grievances: the interest of the state and support for the presidency.

“If we say we are in one family and our goal is to support the President, then what’s the issue?” he asked, making an appeal to unity that was as strategic as it was emotional. He urged his followers to demonstrate their loyalty not just through slogans, but by accepting the difficult but necessary steps toward reconciliation.

Fubara also took time to lament the developmental setbacks caused by the ongoing crisis. Several projects initiated by his administration had been stalled, and he warned of the cost such delays could have on the state's future. “Look at the projects we’ve initiated. Many have been abandoned. We know the progress we could have made and the areas that could have developed,” he said, emphasizing that political peace would pave the way for infrastructural progress.

Assuring his supporters of his unwavering loyalty, Governor Fubara stated firmly, “I can’t abandon you. That’s one thing I need to say clearly. I will not leave anyone behind, no matter how things turn out.” Even so, he made it known that peace would come with a cost. “The sacrifice we are going to make for total peace will be heavy. And everyone must prepare for it.”

One of the most poignant moments of the address came as the Governor shared a piece of traditional wisdom from his native community. Describing a fish known locally as Atabala, or native Tilapia, he recounted how the mother Tilapia would advise her children to hide their heads in the mud if they wished to grow. Drawing from this metaphor, he called on his supporters to embrace humility, patience, and sacrifice as necessary ingredients for long-term growth.

“You may not like how it looks or how it feels, but we must accept this peace,” Fubara insisted. He reiterated that reconciliation had already begun and that it was the only path to unlock federal support and resume meaningful development across Rivers State.

As he concluded, the Governor’s message was crystal clear. The period of division had run its course, and the state could no longer afford to be torn apart by personal egos or political rivalry. What is required now, he said, is collective understanding, internal sacrifice, and an unwavering focus on the common good.

The mood among attendees reportedly ranged from contemplative to cautiously optimistic. Some who had been strongly critical of any form of reconciliation were seen nodding in agreement, perhaps moved by the Governor’s sincerity and willingness to bear personal costs for the larger benefit of the state.

Governor Fubara’s latest address may well go down as a defining moment in his tenure. It was not simply a political declaration; it was a heartfelt appeal to the soul of Rivers State. Whether his message will galvanize full support and bring enduring peace remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: he has chosen to lead with resolve, empathy, and a bold call for unity.