Former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has expressed disappointment over what he described as the politicisation of reconciliation efforts in Rivers State.
Eradiri criticised suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for allegedly lacking sincerity and commitment to genuine reconciliation, accusing him of engaging in mere media theatrics without concrete efforts to heal political divisions.
He said he was disturbed to learn that after an initial meeting with his estranged political mentor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the governor had failed to follow through with deeper, more inclusive engagement.
According to Eradiri, meaningful reconciliation demands direct dialogue with key stakeholders, including the Speaker and members of the suspended House of Assembly, aggrieved elders, and local government chairmen who were formerly aligned with the governor.
“I was disturbed, shocked, and surprised to hear that Governor Fubara has yet to hold reconciliatory meetings with critical stakeholders such as the Speaker and members of the suspended House of Assembly, aggrieved Rivers elders, and local government chairmen,” Eradiri said.
He referenced a recent media interview with Wike, describing it as “instructive and revealing,” particularly where Wike accused Fubara of conducting reconciliation only on television and radio. “This, for me, is a low mark and does not sit well with the required antidote to resolve the crisis and return democracy to Rivers,” he added.
Eradiri, a former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and Environment, urged the governor to take full ownership of the reconciliation process, demonstrate genuine leadership, and steer clear of showmanship that could derail ongoing peace efforts.
He also criticized the governor’s supporters for engaging in divisive political displays. “Suddenly, those who called themselves Fubara’s loyalists have resumed their singing, dancing, and political shows, where they make remarks and cast innuendos inimical to peace. Fubara must discourage this behavior,” he said.
Eradiri further advised Fubara to engage with other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to seek the withdrawal of the emergency rule case filed at the Supreme Court against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This is where reconciliation efforts should have reached by now. The President’s hands are tied because the matter is sub judice. Fubara is expected to reach out to the PDP governors to withdraw the matter as part of the peace process,” he said.
He warned that without genuine reconciliation, even if the governor is reinstated, continued political hostility could lead to renewed attempts at impeachment.
“Lack of reconciliation will only return the state to a violent path and undermine the emergency rule that was instituted to protect him,” he concluded.
