Posted by Siseko Tapile
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When Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State aired his Christmas Day address on December 25, 2023, he declared that no price was too high to secure lasting peace.
He was speaking from Rivers State, a place still reeling from a bitter rivalry with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The governor’s remarks came just a week after Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, brokered an eight‑point peace deal at the presidential villa in Abuja on December 18, 2023.
Since taking office in May 2023, Governor Fubara has faced an aggressive campaign led by former governor Wike, who helped secure his election before turning into a political adversary. The clash spiraled into a full‑blown crisis when 27 state legislators defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), threatening impeachment and a parliamentary deadlock.
Wike’s faction claimed the governor was abusing his office, while Fubara maintained that the impeachment attempts were nothing more than a power‑play. The stalemate cost the state dearly – ministries stalled, projects froze, and ordinary citizens grew wary of being caught in the crossfire.
President Tinubu convened a high‑stakes sit‑down at the Presidential Villa, inviting key stakeholders from both camps. The gathering, officially recorded as the Rivers Peace SummitAbuja, produced an eight‑point resolution covering the withdrawal of impeachment motions, restoration of defected lawmakers, and a pledge to respect constitutional processes.
Governor Fubara signed the document on December 20, 2023, after it was vetted by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson. Johnson confirmed the governor’s intent to implement every clause without compromising the interests of Rivers residents.
The agreement also stipulated the return of resigned commissioners, a freeze on any further party‑switching, and the creation of a joint oversight committee to monitor compliance.
In his televised address, Fubara said, "My decisions are not born of fear; they are rooted in the welfare of our people." He underscored that the peace proclamation demonstrated President Tinubu’s genuine love for Rivers State, adding, "A ruler who cares for his people will not allow partisan games to jeopardise their safety."
He also announced a N100,000 Christmas bonus for state workers, a move that delighted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and sparked optimism among civil servants who had endured months of uncertainty.
Not everyone applauded the accord. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and eight other Niger‑Delta groups labelled the peace pact a "nullity" and a "rape on democracy," arguing it gave the APC an unconstitutional edge.
Chief David Briggs, who attended the Abuja meeting, claimed Tinubu "intimidated" Governor Fubara into signing, suggesting the agreement was more coercion than consensus.
Nevertheless, the PDP filed a suit to void the seats of the 27 defectors, vowing to pursue the case vigorously despite the presidential intervention. The party’s legal team insists the eight‑point deal cannot override the constitutional right of legislators to retain their mandates.
If fully enacted, the peace deal could restore functional governance in Rivers State, allowing stalled infrastructure projects to resume and public services to improve. Analysts point out that the withdrawal of impeachment proceedings removes a major source of instability, potentially attracting fresh investment.
On the other hand, the fierce backlash from youth and civil‑society groups signals lingering distrust. The success of the agreement may hinge on how transparently the oversight committee operates and whether defected lawmakers truly re‑align with the PDP’s agenda or simply serve as APC proxies.
For Governor Fubara, the challenge now is two‑fold: keep his promises while navigating a political minefield that includes his own party’s legal battles, an emboldened opposition, and a populace eager for peace but wary of political bargains.
As the holiday season draws to a close, the governor’s declaration that "no price is too much" rings louder than ever. Whether that price will be political capital, legislative concessions, or a reshaped party landscape remains to be seen.
The deal obliges Governor Fubara to withdraw all impeachment motions, reinstate the 27 defected lawmakers to their original parties, restore resigned commissioners, and set up a bipartisan oversight panel to monitor compliance for a twelve‑month period.
The PDP has launched a court case to declare the seats of the defectors vacant, arguing that the peace pact cannot override constitutional provisions. Meanwhile, the APC welcomes the deal, seeing it as a step toward political stability in the oil‑rich Niger Delta.
Groups such as the Ijaw Youth Council argue the agreement gives undue advantage to the ruling APC and undermines democratic processes by allowing party‑switching without accountability, which they label a "rape on democracy."
The bonus has been praised by the Nigeria Labour Congress and many state workers, bolstering Governor Fubara’s image as a leader who cares for his staff. However, critics say it could be a short‑term goodwill gesture that does not address deeper political grievances.
The immediate tasks include re‑validating the 27 lawmakers, reinstating the resigned commissioners, and forming the oversight committee by the end of January 2024. Continuous monitoring and public reporting will be essential to gauge the deal’s effectiveness.
Comments
Kim Coulter
The claim that “no price is too high” for peace reads like a rallying cry for limitless ambition. History teaches us that such rhetoric often disguises the willingness to sacrifice democratic safeguards for personal power. In Rivers, the stakes are not merely about party colors but about control over oil revenues that flow through the delta. President Tinubu’s eight‑point deal, while presented as a neutral framework, effectively locks the defectors into the ruling APC’s orbit. The withdrawal of impeachment motions may calm the legislature, yet it also removes a critical check on executive overreach. Governor Fubara’s promise of a N100,000 bonus for civil servants is a tempting carrot, but it cannot buy legitimacy when the underlying conflict remains unresolved. The Ijaw Youth Council’s denunciation as a “rape on democracy” underscores the depth of mistrust among grassroots groups. An oversight committee sounds promising, but without transparent reporting it risks becoming a rubber‑stamp. The legal battle the PDP pursues could set a precedent on whether party‑switching can be overridden by executive agreements. If the joint committee functions with true bipartisan spirit, stalled infrastructure projects could finally see momentum. Conversely, if it merely serves as a façade, investors will remain wary of the political volatility in the Niger Delta. The real test of this peace pact will be its ability to deliver tangible services to the people of Rivers, not just political convenience for elites. A sustainable peace requires inclusive dialogue with youth organizations, civil society, and the displaced communities. Otherwise, the “no price too high” mantra will echo hollowly while grievances fester beneath the surface. In the end, the price of peace may be measured not in cash bonuses but in the willingness to uphold constitutional norms over partisan gain.
October 3, 2025 at 00:17