A collection of elder statesmen and leaders of thought in Rivers Stateunder the umbrella of Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum have called on President Bola Tinubu to lift the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State snce march, 18, 2025.
In a press statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the forum noted that having achieved the desired peace deal between the suspended Governor, Mr. Siminalayi and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, it had become apparent that the President who predctaed the declaration of the state of emergency on the rift between the two political leaders to lift the emergency rule.
The statement was signed by the Acting Chairman of the forum, Sir Gabriel Toby, a former deputy Governor of the state.
Sir Toby, who said the forum was issuing the statement with gratitude to God and with deep reflection and hope for a united and better Rivers State, regretted that the painful rivalry that pitched Wike against Fubara was sad development that threw the state into darkness and obstructed development
The statement said, “We have watched over the past few months, the painful divisions and political tensions that pitched two of our sons; Wike, Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. It was a sad development that deeply wounded the soul of our dear state and cast an undeserved shadow on our collective image, unity, progress and prosperity.
“Today, we thank God Almighty and commend the recent show of maturity, and courage demonstrated by both men in embracing peace and reconciliation process.
“This was exactly what we, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, had earnestly sought from the very beginning, when we first extended an olive branch and invited both parties to a roundtable.
“Unfortunately, our initial efforts were not heeded, which necessitated our formal appeal to Mr President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to intervene as the father of the nation.”
Toby said the interest of the elders had all along been to safeguard the image, soul, and dignity of Rivers State. “We seek no personal gain, political favour, or reward. Our sole desire is to see our state thrive, with its leaders united and working together for the common good of all,” he said.
He said the elders would not for now go into discussing the issues around the newfound peace between the governor, the minister and the house of assembly members because the terms of settlement are yet to be made public.
“However it is our hope that the terms of reconciliation are well rooted within the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, and the rule of law,” he noted.
The elders thanked President Tinubu for the role he has played in steering this process to this moment. “To this end, we request that, since peace and reconciliation have been achieved, it is our considered view that the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State be lifted and all suspended democratic structures fully restored.
“The will of Rivers people should be respected, and the institutions of democratic governance must be allowed to function freely and transparently,’ the statement added.
“We urge everyone in Rivers State to seize this moment of reconciliation not as the end of disagreements, but as the beginning of a new chapter, marked by mutual respect, collective responsibility, and unwavering commitment to the peace, progress and unity of our dear State.”
