The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that no amount of blackmail or street protests will restore peace to Rivers State unless all stakeholders are genuinely committed to reconciliation.
Wike, a former governor of the state, made this known during a thanksgiving service held in Port Harcourt on Friday to mark the 70th birthday of a former federal lawmaker, Ken Chikere.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers helped to prevent a full-blown crisis and urged critical stakeholders to embrace sincere dialogue for peace to return.
“One month after Mr President, in his wisdom, declared a state of emergency to save Rivers State from anarchy, I challenge any so-called elder or traditional ruler to point out what effort they have made to restore peace,” Wike said.
He criticised traditional rulers and leaders whom he accused of taking sides in the political crisis instead of playing a neutral role in facilitating reconciliation.
Speaking on recent protests in the state, especially by women who demonstrated half-naked on the streets, Wike described such actions as unnecessary and counterproductive.
“There is no need to embarrass our women to be naked outside. No amount of blackmail or public protest can bring peace. What brings peace is humility and sincerity,” he stated.
Wike stressed that true reconciliation would only be possible if all relevant parties, including the State and National Assembly members, political parties, and community leaders, are carried along in the peace process.
“Peace will not come by visiting me alone. All critical stakeholders must be involved. No group should be sidelined if we genuinely want peace in Rivers State,” he added.
The minister maintained that crisis merchants who benefit from instability would continue to fuel unrest unless real efforts were made to unite all factions.
