The President-General of the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Dr. Kennedy-Tonjo West, has expressed concern that the political crisis and subsequent state of emergency in Rivers State have set the state back by several years.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with National Point in Port Harcourt, September 23, 2025, Dr. West said that although the constitution empowers the President to declare a state of emergency, the approach adopted in Rivers State “left much to be desired.”
“There would have been a better way to address the issues that gave birth to the state of emergency,” he said. “Mediation and reconciliation were not completely exhausted before the drastic step was taken.”
He noted that although the suspended governor and House of Assembly had been reinstated, there was a need for deeper reconciliation beyond political gestures.
“Six months have come and gone, but have the parties truly addressed the causes of the conflict? Reconciliation must go into the psyche and mindset of all parties. They should understand that they belong to one political family,” he added.
Dr. West expressed optimism about the reconciliation moves between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, urging that the peace be sustained.
“We are excited that both parties have reconciled. However, reconciliation must be genuine. The hate speeches and provocations of the past should be buried so we can move forward,” he advised.
The MOSIEND leader emphasized that his group remained neutral throughout the crisis, noting that the political impasse only hurt the people of Rivers State.
“If our leaders have resolved their issues, we should all reduce the tension and support peace. Six months of crisis is like six years backward. Other states are moving ahead with socio-economic development,” he lamented.
He called on Governor Fubara and Chief Wike to sustain dialogue and maintain stability in the state legislature, stressing that “political crisis won’t help the state’s development.”
