In an interview with Arise News from 3:35, Asukewe Ikoawaji, a member of the Rivers State Council of Elders, addressed the ongoing political feud involving prominent leaders such as Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Ikoawaji emphasized that the discord is an internal matter stemming from the political dynamics established during Dr. Peter Odili’s administration in 1999. He highlighted the need for reconciliation within the political family, urging leaders to prioritize governance and the welfare of Rivers State citizens.
Ikoawaji pointed out that Rivers State is a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups, including Yorubas, Igbos, and Hausas, whose voting strength significantly contributes to the state’s political landscape. He stressed that Rivers State extends beyond the traditional upland and riverine dichotomy and that the state’s governance should reflect the diversity of its people. According to Ikoawaji, the ongoing conflict among political elites does not represent the broader interests of the state but is instead a power tussle confined to a specific political circle.
The Council of Elders, Ikoawaji noted, has consistently advocated for peace and unity, urging the warring factions to resolve their differences. He reminded the political leaders that governance is about serving the people and delivering the dividends of democracy. Opposition is a natural part of politics, he added, and should not distract the Governor or other leaders from fulfilling their responsibilities to the citizens of Rivers State.
“Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike to Siminalayi Fubara, they’re products of Dr. Peter Odili-led 1999 politics, and this thing is between the family. In Rivers State, you have more than 4 million people, there are some Yorubas in Rivers State, they only know that their grandfather comes from Osun State, they’re members of Rivers State, they’ve a voting strength in Rivers State, the same thing applies to the Igbos, the Hausa, to other ethnic groups. It’s not just the upland and riverine that constituted Rivers State. Rivers State is beyond this political family. The problem is within them, not with Rivers State, and at the Elders forum, what we’re saying is go and settle your problem, but the Governor of Rivers State, he can only be one person at a time. There’s no way you’ll be a Governor without opposition, that you are having an opposition does not mean you should not serve the people and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people,” Ikoawaji concluded.
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