Wike demands reconciliation, gives condition for peace in Rivers

April 26, 2025

Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has laid out the requirements for bringing about enduring peace in Rivers State, emphasizing that the ongoing political crisis can only be resolved by an honest and inclusive reconciliation process.

At a church Thanksgiving ceremony in Port Harcourt on Friday to commemorate the 70th birthday of former federal legislator Ken Chikere, Wike said that sincere efforts from all stakeholders are necessary to bring about peace in the state.

He insisted that the President’s declaration of emergency prevented a more serious crisis and cautioned that public protests and political bluster, like the recent march by women in the nude, will not result in peace.

The former governor of Rivers State condemned the state’s elders and traditional leaders for their apparent partiality or silence, saying they had not started efforts at reconciliation.

This is coming just days after the suspended governor Fubara’s meeting with Tinubu in the United Kingdom

“There is no need of embarrassing our women to be naked outside,” Wike said. “No amount of such can bring peace, no amount of such blackmail can bring peace. What can bring peace is for you to humble yourself and say, for the interest of the state, I want everybody to work together” he said.

“I challenge any Rivers so-called elder, even the traditional rulers—what attempt have they made in over a month since the President’s declaration to bring about reconciliation?”

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“If any group will be excluded, it means there is no total peace,” he warned. “Seeing me alone does not bring peace… There are critical stakeholders that must be involved” he added.