“President Accused of Intimidating Governor Fubara to Sign Peace Pact in Rivers Crisis”

Fresh details have emerged regarding the recent peace agreement brokered between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State. Former Commissioner for Water Resources in Rivers State, Chief David Briggs, alleged that President Tinubu intimidated Governor Fubara into signing the eight-point peace resolution under duress.

Briggs claimed that the President issued indirect threats, creating a tense atmosphere during the meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Despite the signing of the resolution, many of the agreed-upon measures have yet to be implemented.

The political divide between the G27 and G4 factions of the Rivers House of Assembly persists, with joint sittings yet to commence. Governor Fubara has not resubmitted his 2024 N800.3 billion budget to the House. The G27, comprising 27 defected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), withdrew their impeachment notice against Governor Fubara, but legal proceedings continue.

Briggs, present at the meeting with other Rivers elders, claimed that President Tinubu’s threat centered around the consequences Governor Fubara would face if he did not comply with the presidential proclamation. The revelations shed light on the tense atmosphere during the negotiations.

The President’s directive included dropping all impeachment proceedings against the governor and withdrawing court cases related to the crisis, favoring Wike’s camp. Governor Fubara, however, reassured the public that he would implement the peace agreement.

In response to the unfolding situation, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP warned party leaders against making unguarded statements that could tarnish the party’s reputation. The NWC expressed displeasure over remarks made by certain leaders, citing former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido’s public statement criticizing the handling of the Rivers crisis. The party stressed the need for unity and cautioned against actions that could undermine the PDP’s cohesion.