Group Urges Tinubu to Form Reconciliation Committee for Rivers Crisis in 14 Days

• The group also criticized President Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency, claiming that it validates the harmful practice of corrupt political godfatherism by siding with former Governor Nyesom Wike
• The group warned that allowing the state of emergency to run longer than 90 days would compound the problem in the state, threatening and possibly jeopardizing Nigeria’s democracy.
• They urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to establish the reconciliation committee and begin the process of resolving the crisis in Rivers State.

The Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy, a pro-democracy group, has called on President Bola Tinubu to set up a reconciliation committee within 14 days to address the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Eko Hot  Blog reports that this appeal comes in response to Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state, which has led to the suspension of Governor Siminilayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

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Dr. Olayemi Isaacs, the convener of the group, voiced concerns during a press conference in Abuja, asserting that the state of emergency would only result in “forced peace” and conceal the true intentions of the involved parties.

Instead, he emphasized the importance of reconciliatory measures taken in a democratic setting to achieve genuine peace in Rivers State.

The group also criticized President Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency, claiming that it validates the harmful practice of corrupt political godfatherism by siding with former Governor Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Tinubu’s cabinet.

The Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy strongly believes that establishing a reconciliation committee is crucial for addressing the underlying issues and restoring stability to Rivers State.

They argued that Wike’s overbearing rent-seeking behavior was the root cause of the crisis in Rivers State.

The Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy demanded that President Tinubu set up a panel of non-partisan eminent Nigerians to mediate between the rival parties in the Rivers State crisis.

They emphasised that the mediatory efforts must be concluded within 60 days, allowing the state of emergency to be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.

The group warned that allowing the state of emergency to run longer than 90 days would compound the problem in the state, threatening and possibly jeopardizing Nigeria’s democracy.

They urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to establish the reconciliation committee and begin the process of resolving the crisis in Rivers State.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to end the state of emergency he imposed on Rivers State within 90 days of its proclamation,” Isaacs added.

“Allowing it to run longer than this period will compound the problem in the state in a way that will threaten and possibly jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy.

“Furthermore, the Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy demands that President Tinubu, within 14 days, set up a panel of non-partisan eminent Nigerians to mediate between the rival parties in the Rivers State crisis.

“The mediatory efforts must be concluded within 60 days so that the state of emergency can be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.

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“Finally, we call on political parties to rein in their members in states that have similar political wranglings ongoing so that President Tinubu would not have the excuse to suspend democratic structures in more parts of the country.

“Where political parties fail to heed this counsel, they can be assured that there will not be many states left under democratic rule before the 2027 General Elections.”

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