Peace Deal: Suspended Fubara Disbands All Support Groups
Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially disbanded all his social-political support groups, including the popular Simplified Movement, in a bid to fully embrace peace in the state.
Speaking on Saturday in Port Harcourt at a meeting with members of his political family—including his former Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie; former cabinet members; local government chairmen; elders; women; and youth leaders—Fubara said the decision was made in the spirit of reconciliation and sacrifice.
“The sacrifice for total peace will be heavy,” the governor told the gathering, urging his supporters to accept the development in good faith.
The move comes less than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brokered a peace meeting in Abuja between Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule.
That meeting marked the first major step towards resolving the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, which has significantly impacted governance, economic activities, investments, and development.
Addressing his supporters at the Simplified Movement office, Fubara reassured them that all decisions made were in their collective interest. He stressed that peace, stability, and the progress of the state must now take precedence.
“I cannot abandon you people,” he said. “This is the time for me to prove that I care for you. I make a commitment here that whichever way it goes, I will not abandon anybody. But the sacrifice we must make to achieve total peace will be heavy, and I want everyone to prepare for it.”
He acknowledged the disappointment and anxiety felt by many of his loyalists following the peace agreement, but emphasized that leadership sometimes demands painful decisions for a greater cause.
Fubara admitted that while the reconciliation may be difficult for some of his supporters to accept, it is a necessary step toward restoring stability in Rivers State. He lamented the toll the crisis has taken on ongoing projects across the state and expressed hope that reconciliation will accelerate governance and development.
