Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a prominent voice within the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and the inaugural spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, has framed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a deliberate gesture aimed at fostering reconciliation and preserving stability in Rivers State.
Speaking in reaction to the meeting, Sara-Igbe said the suspended governor had consistently shown a desire for peace, contrary to what he described as Wike’s combative stance.
“That discussion is not for public consumption, except the FCT Minister wants to make it public,” Sara-Igbe stated. “At the end of the day, we’ll hear the result.”
He lauded Governor Fubara’s move, emphasising that peace often requires personal sacrifices.
“Of course, the governor wants peace all through. The governor is looking for peace — it is Wike who doesn’t want peace. And if somebody is looking for peace, you must make sacrifices. You can’t get any peace without sacrifice,” he said.
“The governor is a governor of everybody. It’s not about pride. With humility, he went there to discuss, and they discussed,” he added.
Reada also: Enemies Of Rivers Desperate To Frustrate Me, Fubara Cries Out
During a Monday live media briefing, Mr. Wike confirmed the meeting, stating that Governor Fubara, accompanied by two governors from the All Progressives Congress and an unidentified person, visited his Port Harcourt residence.
“Of course, the governor wants peace all through. The governor is looking for peace — it is Wike who doesn’t want peace. And if somebody is looking for peace, you must make sacrifices. You can’t get any peace without sacrifice,” he said.
“The governor is a governor of everybody. It’s not about pride. With humility, he went there to discuss, and they discussed,” he added.
Mr. Wike confirmed the meeting’s occurrence during a live media engagement on Monday, reporting a visit from Governor Fubara, who was accompanied by two governors from the All Progressives Congress and an unnamed person.
“Yes, he came. He came with two governors and one other person. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors, so I will not pursue them. And he said he wants peace — fine. I want peace,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor, however, blamed Fubara’s current political travails on what he termed “self-inflicted injury,” stating that the embattled governor had previously failed to heed the advice of political leaders and allies.
“When this thing started, I called him. Seyi Makinde was there, Ortom was there, Ikpeazu was there, Ugwuanyi was there. We sat him down and said: ‘This thing is not good for you. God has given you this office; why not be humble and not allow people to push you?’” Wike said.
It was said that people kept urging him to behave like a governor, which was acknowledged, as no one denied that he held that position. However, the point being made was that he should not abandon those who had worked tirelessly for him.
Meanwhile, addressing challenges in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly the issue of open grazing, Wike stated that efforts were underway to tackle the problem. He noted that no one was pleased with the situation, emphasizing that governance was different from running a private business and required a cautious approach.