Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to cease their political conflict to prevent it from escalating into a larger regional and national issue. Jonathan made this appeal on Monday while flagging off the multi-billion naira Trans-Kalabari Road project at Rumuolumeni community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Jonathan commended leaders who have intervened in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. He highlighted the challenges of government transitions in Nigeria, noting that while transitions at the federal level have been relatively well-managed, state-level transitions often result in more significant conflicts.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation between outgoing and incoming governors for the benefit of their states’ citizens. Jonathan stated, “Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara must work together for the development of Rivers State. The tension will not help us. Rivers State is very critical in this country. If Rivers State is destabilized, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilized.”
Jonathan stressed the need for mutual acceptance and cooperation, noting that “nobody takes 100 percent” and advocating for the principle of give and take among political actors. He reiterated the calls from other leaders for a ceasefire, urging both parties to focus on the positive development of the state.
He warned that the ongoing conflict could have broader implications, saying, “When two elephants fight, the grass suffers. Both the Governor and the Minister are young people, very young people but they are powerful, and if you continue to fight, Rivers people will suffer. We don’t want the Rivers people to suffer.”
Jonathan commended Governor Fubara for his vision and commitment to the Trans-Kalabari Road project, highlighting its potential benefits for easing movement, enhancing security response, promoting integration, and boosting economic growth. He praised the governor’s courage to undertake a challenging project that previous administrations had avoided.
Governor Fubara assured that his administration is determined to complete the Trans-Kalabari Road project to stimulate socio-economic activities in the benefiting rural communities. He emphasized that the project is funded through saved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and federal allocations, with 30 percent of the contract sum already paid to mobilize the contractor.
Fubara called on the people to support the project and prevent any sabotage that could delay its completion. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to putting the wellbeing and advancement of the people first, emphasizing that the road is crucial for the state’s development.
The governor thanked former President Jonathan for flagging off the project, recognizing the significant transportation needs it will address. He appealed to the people to support the contractor to ensure the project’s timely completion, allowing the government to focus on other aspects of the state’s economy.
Governor Fubara concluded, “For us as a government, our duty remains, people first. Those things that we know will make life easy for you are the areas that we will pay attention to. So, please give us the necessary support so that this project will be achieved at a record time. This way, we can also look at other aspects of the state economy.”