The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has expressed joy over the reconciliation between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following a protracted political crisis.

The forum, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to lift the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State and restore all suspended democratic structures.

The Acting Chairman of the forum and former deputy governor of Rivers State, Dr. Gabriel Toby, said the painful divisions and political tensions that pitched their two of sons, Wike and Fubara, as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly, was indeed a sad development that deeply wounded the soul of the state and casted an undeserved shadow on their collective image, unity, progress and prosperity.

During a meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the forum stated that their sole interest has been to safeguard the image, soul, and dignity of Rivers State, adding that they have never sought personal gain, political favour, or reward.

“Our sole desire is to see our state thrive, with its leaders united and working together for the common good of all,” they stated.

Recall that the political crisis led to the formation of two elders’ forums. This camp allegedly supported Fubara, while the camp led by Elder Ferdinand Alabraba backed Wike.

The two camps of the elders’ forum were accused by residents and political observers of holding varying positions in the political crisis and supporting different political figures for personal gain and political favour.

But addressing newsmen, the elders forum led by Sir Toby debunked the allegations, saying, “While we welcome and commend this process, we choose not to delve any further into the subject, because the terms of settlement are yet to be made public. However, we hope that the terms of reconciliation are well rooted within the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, and the rule of law”.

‘We thanked God and commend the recent show of maturity and courage demonstrated by both men in embracing the peace and reconciliation process.

“This was exactly what we, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, had earnestly sought from the very beginning, when we first extended an olive branch and invited both parties to a roundtable.

“Unfortunately, our initial efforts were not heeded, which necessitated our formal appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene as the father of the nation.”

The forum also thanked the President for his role in steering the peace process.

“To this end, we request that, since peace and reconciliation have been achieved, it is our considered advice that the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State be lifted and all suspended democratic structures fully restored. The will of the Rivers people should be respected, and the institutions of democratic governance must be allowed to function freely and transparently,” the elders said.

They urged everyone in Rivers State to seize the moment of reconciliation, not as the end of disagreements, but as the beginning of a new chapter, marked by mutual respect, collective responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the peace, progress, and unity of the state.