Peace and not Pieces, Please

Peace and not Pieces, Please

By Oraye Franklin

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory’s remarks yesterday have understandably stirred strong public reaction. I share the unease from a clear concern that Rivers State has endured prolonged political strain arising from a dispute that directly involves the Minister and the Governor, especially in our most recent history.

Those who interpret the speech as a signal of renewed political confrontation are right to be troubled. The cost of continued tension has been borne largely by the people of Rivers State. Development has slowed down in the State, public trust in political leadership has eroded considerably, and governance has become secondary to political rivalry.

There was a reasonable public expectation that the crisis had eased as both parties met with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and conveyed a message of reconciliation. Many took that to mean a workable peace had been reached, even if fragile. It is therefore fair to ask where that understanding collapsed and why.

What precisely were the terms agreed upon, and which of them is now said to have been breached?

Public discourse is crowded with speculation, including claims that the Governor agreed not to seek a second term. If such a condition exists, it raises serious questions. It would sit uneasily with democratic norms and with the right of any elected official to seek the mandate of the people. If that was not the agreement, then clarity is owed on what obligation is being enforced and in whose or what interest.

At this point, conjecture serves no one. What the public needs is restraint from political actors, transparency from stakeholders, and a recommitment by all Rivers people to the welfare of Rivers State above personal or factional interests. The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, both command significant influence. With that influence comes responsibility.

At the same time, it is also reasonable to ask the Governor to speak plainly to the people of Rivers State. If there are governance gaps, political missteps, or shortcomings that have contributed to the present tension, they should be acknowledged and resolved. Silence or ambiguity only fuels suspicion, needless conjectures and deepens division. Leadership requires not only resilience, but also transparency and self-examination.

Rivers people are right to be weary of conflict. They want stability, accountable governance, and progress. Much as the signal may have been given for renewed political confrontation, restraint is strongly advised as the focus ought to be the best interest of Rivers people.

These confrontations are shaping legacies. Political actors, as well as those who promote or benefit from this crisis, should reflect carefully on how history will judge their conduct. As members of the same political party and proponents of the same national political agenda, reaching a principled understanding on Rivers State should not be an insurmountable task. The State deserves leadership defined by purpose and service, not by prolonged discord. We need peace and not a State in pieces, please.