The camps of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, clashed on Wednesday over the ongoing peace process in the state.
Dr. Chidi Lloyd, a former Chairman of Emuoha Local Government Area and a close associate of Wike, questioned Fubara’s commitment to the peace agreement initiated by the minister.
Lloyd claimed that Fubara had yet to meet key conditions Wike considers essential for authentic reconciliation.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, he outlined these conditions, which include a public apology from Fubara to elder statesman Sergeant Awuse (the immediate past Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers), members of the State Assembly, former council chairmen, and others.
Lloyd insisted that any reconciliation without justice would be hollow.
“People are confused thinking only the minister was wounded in this political crisis, but many others—former council chairmen and campaign coordinators for Fubara—are also aggrieved,” he said. “I’m aggrieved, too. So, let us not seek peace in the graveyard; let us seek genuine peace.”
Highlighting Fubara’s alleged lack of commitment, Lloyd recalled an eight-point peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu during the height of the political conflict, which Fubara reportedly reneged on.
“To this day, none of Fubara’s supporters have apologised for their actions,” Lloyd added. “If Governor Fubara can renege on agreements made before the President, how can peace be trusted? He owes an apology to the Assembly members whose salaries were seized for two years. Peace is not just about the Minister; it requires full pursuit.”
However, Fubara’s camp dismissed Lloyd’s assertions as unhelpful and lacking trust.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, described Lloyd as a “busybody” and criticised him for undermining ongoing peace talks.
Omatsogunwa said, “Dr. Lloyd should support what the FCT Minister brings to the table instead of rehashing demands that will delay peace. Imagine if, in a war like the one between Russia and Ukraine, peace talks were held hostage to rebuilding every destroyed town first. Peace would never come.”
He also pointed out, “If Fubara must apologise to every aggrieved party as suggested, it would take weeks—apologising to Assembly members alone would take 27 days. This is not practical.”
Omatsogunwa stressed that the priority is peace for development.
“Fubara has a leader speaking for him, and all his followers should respect agreements reached. Dr. Lloyd must trust his leader and let peace prevail in Rivers State.”
Joining the debate, Chizi Enyi, the Chief of Staff to the reinstateted Chairman in the Rivers State All Progressives Congtoss, Chief Emeka Beke, also defended Fubara’s sincerity.
Enyi criticised Lloyd’s demand for public apologies, insisting it is unrealistic for a sitting governor to be subjected to such conditions.
“This is the kind of problem we face in Rivers State,” Enyi said. “Fubara has shown goodwill by calling on his supporters to stop abusive behavior, and social media abuse has stopped. Yet, Lloyd continues to stir trouble instead of supporting peace.”
