Peter Obi Urges Peace in Rivers State, Describes Emergency Rule as “Needless Disruption”

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to embrace peace and move forward following the suspension of emergency rule in the state.

Obi made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday, reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to lift the six-month emergency measures that had led to the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and the entire legislature.

According to NIGERIA NEWS 247, the reinstated public officials are expected to resume their duties today.

In his statement, Obi described the emergency declaration as a “misstep that should not have happened,” warning that such actions pose long-term risks to Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

“The restoration of democracy in Rivers State after six months of needless disruption remains a sour side of our democracy today,” Obi said. “It was a constitutional breach that will hurt our democracy for a long time.”

He urged political leaders involved in the Rivers crisis to reflect and learn from the episode.

“I hope that some lessons were learned by all the gladiators in the Rivers State impasse. Great minds remind us that ‘the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing,’” he noted. “A true leader is one who admits mistakes, learns from them, and takes steps to make things right.”

Obi also commended the people of Rivers State for their patience throughout the political turmoil and called for unity going forward.

“I appeal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the members of the state House of Assembly, and all political leaders in the state to embrace peace and forge ahead,” he said.

He concluded with an optimistic message: “Be assured that a new Nigeria is POssible and inevitable.”