The political crisis that has divided Rivers State’s political establishment may be easing, following significant progress in reconciliation talks between the Rainbow Coalition and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The development followed a meeting between members of the reconciliation committee and Governor Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday—the second engagement between the parties in about two weeks.
The committee assured members of the political family that no one would be victimised or discriminated against because of past political disagreements, as efforts continue to rebuild unity within the camp.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Magnus Abe, said the meeting focused on modalities for achieving lasting peace and reuniting political leaders who became estranged during the crisis.
The committee was constituted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to help resolve the political differences that have fractured relationships among key political actors in the state.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Abe said the committee had undertaken extensive consultations on how members of the political family could work together under the emerging atmosphere of peace.
He said the progress recorded should reassure Rivers residents who desire unity, stability and development in the state. “We are all in agreement and we have made very good progress,” Abe said.
According to him, the rapprochement among the political actors represented a major shift in Rivers’ political climate and offered fresh hope that the peace residents have long demanded could become permanent.
Abe stressed that previous disagreements would not be used as grounds for victimisation under the reconciliation arrangement, assuring members that everyone would be treated with equal respect.
Also speaking, South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, commended Governor Fubara for receiving the delegation and creating an avenue for the estranged political actors to engage as members of one political family.
Nwanosike described the meeting as a major breakthrough, saying it demonstrated that the political family was “back” together.
He expressed optimism that the reconciliation would strengthen governance and ultimately translate into greater democratic dividends for the people of Rivers State.
Another stakeholder, Chief Ambrose Nwuzi, said supporters of Governor Fubara had agreed to embrace peace, noting that disagreements were inevitable in human relationships but should not permanently destroy political alliances.
Nwuzi said reconciliation had effectively been achieved, with the remaining step being for Wike, whom he described as the overall leader of the political family, to formally endorse and conclude the process.
“We have reconciled. All that we are waiting for is for the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to put the seal on the reconciliation process which has been going on for the past few weeks,” he said.
The delegation included the Rivers State governorship candidate of the APC, Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, Mr Tamosisi Gogo Jaja and other political stakeholders.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of a prolonged political confrontation between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and political mentor, Wike, which triggered deep divisions within Rivers State’s political establishment.
If sustained, the reconciliation could significantly alter the state’s political landscape by bringing previously rival factions back into cooperation and reshaping alliances ahead of future political contests.
For now, the Rainbow Coalition is signalling that the reconciliation process has moved beyond political rhetoric, with its leaders declaring their readiness to bury past differences and work collectively in the interest of Rivers State.
