…says Rivers state elders not carried along, only Wike and his gladiators negotiated peace against Fubara alone
Niger Delta Activist Ann-Kio Briggs has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the recent peace deal between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, stating that they have “thrown Rivers State under the bus”.
Briggs expressed her sentiment during a TV interview on Arise Television.
Her remark comes after a high-level meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu, where Wike and Fubara agreed to put aside their differences and work together for the state’s development.
Key Points of the Peace Deal:
- Withdrawal of Lawsuits: Governor Fubara has agreed to withdraw all pending lawsuits against the state assembly.
- Restoration of Funding: Funding to the legislature will be restored, and the House of Assembly will regain its operational independence.
- Reversal of Decisions: Sacked commissioners will be reinstated, and the controversial caretaker committees will be dissolved.
- Discontinuation of Impeachment Proceedings: Impeachment proceedings against Fubara will be discontinued, and his allies will support his continued governance.³
Reactions to the Deal:
While some stakeholders have welcomed the peace deal as a step towards stability, others, like Ann-Kio Briggs, have expressed concerns about the implications of the agreement. Critics argue that the deal may undermine the interests of Rivers State and its people, particularly given the concessions made by Governor Fubara, which according to her are capable of turning the state to a personal enterprise of those fighting for state capture.
The peace deal was reached after a closed-door meeting between Wike, Fubara, and President Tinubu, aimed at ending the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State. Both leaders have expressed commitment to sustaining the peace and working together for the state’s progress.
But Briggs insists that the interest of Rivers State was not protected, and queried why Fubara was not allowed to be in the meeting with his own people, including other respected elders of the state like former Governor Peter Odili. She calls on Fubara to address the state immediately and make public the details of their agreements.
“Fubara is the person we elected as Governor not Wike, he has to address the state immediately let the people of the state know the details of the agreements they had with Wike and the President, because as it stand Rivers State and her people have been thrown under the bus”. She alarmed.