A former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has accused suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi 9of playing politics with the peace process aimed at restoring democratic stability in the state.
Eradiri, who is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, criticised Fubara for failing to advance the reconciliation effort following his initial meeting with his estranged political mentor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
In a strongly worded statement, Eradiri said he was “shocked and surprised” that Fubara had yet to initiate follow-up meetings with key political stakeholders, including the Speaker and suspended members of the House of Assembly, aggrieved Rivers elders, and local government chairmen aligned with the ruling political structure.
“The recent media chat by Chief Wike was revealing, especially where he said Fubara was conducting reconciliation through television and radio,” Eradiri noted. “That, to me, is unserious and unhelpful. Real reconciliation requires sincerity, not optics.”
He called on Fubara to demonstrate leadership and sincerity by taking full ownership of the reconciliation process and moving beyond public displays and political fanfare.
“Suddenly, his supporters have resumed singing, dancing, and casting innuendos—activities that only deepen the divisions. Fubara must discourage this showmanship if he truly wants peace in Rivers,” Eradiri warned.
A former Bayelsa State commissioner for Youths and later Environment, Eradiri also advised Fubara to engage governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to withdraw the case filed at the Supreme Court seeking emergency rule—a move, he said, had hindered presidential intervention.
“That case is sub judice and ties the President’s hands,” he added. “Fubara should reach out to PDP governors to withdraw it as a concrete step toward reconciliation.”
Eradiri cautioned that reinstating Fubara without genuine reconciliation could reignite hostilities and lead to renewed impeachment threats.
“Without meaningful engagement, the crisis will only resurface, eroding any gains made through federal intervention,” he concluded.
The political conflict in Rivers State, rooted in a fallout between Fubara and Wike, has led to the suspension of state lawmakers and fears of political instability, drawing nationwide attention.
