The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said that real peace in Rivers State can only come through honest talks involving all major political players.
Wike stated this on Friday in Port Harcourt during a thanksgiving service to celebrate the 70th birthday of former lawmaker Ken Chikere.
He said no amount of protests or public insults will solve the political crisis in the state.
“No amount of going on television to abuse anybody will bring peace,” Wike said. “Those who benefit from crisis are the ones happy when there is no peace. When there is no crisis, there is no food on the table for them.”
Wike criticised traditional rulers and elders in the state for not making genuine efforts to restore peace. He challenged them to show what they had done since the declaration of emergency rule.
“One month after Mr President, in his wisdom, declared a state of emergency to save Rivers State from anarchy, I challenge any Rivers so-called elder, even the traditional rulers, to state the attempt they made to bring total peace in the state,” he said.
He also condemned recent protests, especially the ones involving women who marched half-naked in the streets to demand the return of suspended political leaders.
“There is no need to embarrass our women to be naked outside. No amount of such can bring peace, no amount of such blackmail can bring peace,” Wike said.
The minister insisted that the only way forward was sincere dialogue that includes everyone, regardless of political party or position.
“What can bring peace is for you to humble yourself and say, ‘For the interest of the state, I want everybody to work together.’ If you are sincere, people will know,” he added.
Wike said he had already met with some individuals who approached him, but warned that meeting him alone was not enough.
“There are critical stakeholders that must be involved in this peacemaking. Nobody will be excluded. If any group is left out, then there is no total peace,” he said.
He stressed that members of both the Rivers State House of Assembly and the National Assembly, along with leaders from all political parties, must be part of the talks.
According to him, only through this inclusive approach can lasting peace return to the state.
