By Charles Maduka
A respected elder from Rivers State and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has described Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as an effort to promote peace in the state.
Speaking on the meeting, Sara-Igbe said the governor had always shown a peaceful attitude, unlike Wike, who he said often takes a confrontational approach.
“That discussion is not for public consumption, except the FCT Minister wants to make it public,” Sara-Igbe said. “At the end of the day, we’ll hear the result.”
He praised Governor Fubara’s action, saying peace sometimes comes with personal sacrifice.
“Of course, the governor wants peace all through. The governor is looking for peace — it is Wike who doesn’t want peace. And if somebody is looking for peace, you must make sacrifices. You can’t get any peace without sacrifice,” he said.
“The governor is a governor of everybody. It’s not about pride. With humility, he went there to discuss, and they discussed,” he added.
Wike, confirming the visit during a live media interview, said Governor Fubara came to see him at his house in Port Harcourt with two governors from the All Progressives Congress and another person.
“Yes, he came. He came with two governors and one other person. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors, so I will not pursue them. And he said he wants peace — fine. I want peace,” Wike said.
However, Wike blamed the political issues Fubara is facing on his own actions. He said the governor ignored advice from political leaders and supporters.
“When this thing started, I called him. Seyi Makinde was there, Ortom was there, Ikpeazu was there, Ugwuanyi was there. We sat him down and said: ‘This thing is not good for you. God has given you this office; why not be humble and not allow people to push you?’” Wike said.
“They kept telling him to act like a governor. We know. Nobody is taking that away — he is a governor. But all I am saying is, don’t abandon people who laboured for you day and night.”
On challenges in the Federal Capital Territory, especially open grazing, Wike said the government was working to resolve the problem.
“The truth is that nobody is happy about it. Governance is not like running a private business — you have to tread carefully,” he said.
He also mentioned that although 100 hectares of land had been set aside for grazing, land grabbers have taken over some parts, making it harder to manage.
“We are doing everything we can, but we must tread cautiously,” he said.
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