By Paul Dada
A member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, says the recent visit by the suspended Governor, Sim Fubara to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was a sacrifice for peace.
Sara-Igbe who who seemed to be reacting to the position taken by Wike in a chat he had with the media on Monday, said Fubara had been consistent in showing his desire for peace.
“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.
“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.”
Wike had said during the media chat: “Yes, he (Fubara) came. He came with two governors. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors. I would not pursue him. And he said he wants peace. Fine.”
However, the former Rivers helmsman said Fubara’s request for peace did not mean it would come easily and that a window had only been created for it.
He said, “What this means is that there is an open window for you. Take the necessary steps to show really (that) you want peace. Indeed, this is a self-inflicted injury. He doesn’t need it. When this thing started. I called him. Seyi Makinde was there, Ortom was there. Ikpeazu was there. Ugwuanyi was there. We sat him down.
” (We said) ‘This thing is not good for you. God has given you this thing. Don’t allow people to push you. They are telling you are a governor” We know, nobody is taking it away from you. You are a governor but people laboured day and night. And all I have said (is that you) don’t abandon people who have toiled day and night. ‘”
“(But) they say Wike is trying to control, demand money. They pushed him and pushed him. Governors came, pushed him. Where are they now?”
Wike said if the conflict was not resolved peace could not be guaranteed even when the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers was called off. He said there would still not be a good relationship between Fubara and the State House of Assembly.
Wike said Fubara needed to take steps by showing through conduct and action that he wanted peace.
