Fubara vs Wike: Peace agreement collapses as PDP, Clark, and other stakeholders dismiss the 8-point accord.

The political unrest in Rivers State shows no signs of abating.

Despite a semblance of peace on Monday night when conflicting parties signed an agreement following a closed-door meeting at the presidential villa, skepticism lingers over whether Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Peter Odili actually endorsed the 8-point resolution. This resolution appears to heavily favor the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike.

The power struggle in Rivers over the past two months has escalated dramatically, causing tension and anxiety. Notably, allegations surfaced that Wike demanded a percentage of the state’s revenue, an assertion he denied. Simultaneously, there was an attempt to impeach the governor, resulting in the bombing of the State House of Assembly complex, with Wike accusing Fubara of orchestrating the act. The complex was subsequently demolished for renovation.

Amid these challenges, twenty-seven members of the State House of Assembly loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to impeach the governor. The crisis also witnessed several resignations from Fubara’s cabinet, allegedly by individuals sympathetic to Wike’s cause.

The recent closed-door meeting, attended by key figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the President’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, aimed at reconciliation. However, the resolutions from the meeting, favoring Wike’s control over the state’s political structure, have not been well-received by Fubara’s camp.

The eight-point resolution directs Governor Fubara to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill to the full House of Assembly and withdraw all litigations related to the political crisis. It also addresses issues such as the recognition of the factional House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, the reinstatement of remunerations for Assembly members, and the withdrawal of impeachment proceedings.

Nevertheless, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) insists that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must set a date for fresh elections to fill the 25 vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Various voices, including Chief Edwin Clark and legal expert Robert Clarke, have criticized the resolutions, perceiving them as detrimental to the state’s political leadership and constitutional principles. Former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani sees the accord as a temporary reprieve for Fubara, predicting future conflicts.

The diverse reactions to the peace accord highlight the complex and contentious nature of the political landscape in Rivers State.