Pro-Democracy Group Urges Tinubu To Establish Reconciliation Committee, End Rivers Crisis

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

The group’s demand follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminilayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group’s convener, Dr. Olayemi Isaacs, expressed concern that the state of emergency would only result in a “forced peace,” preventing parties from revealing their true intentions. He emphasized that genuine peace could only be achieved through democratic reconciliatory measures.

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The Coalition criticized Tinubu’s decision, describing it as a move that reinforced “corrupt political godfatherism” by aligning with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Tinubu’s cabinet. The group argued that Wike’s “overbearing rent-seeking behavior” was the root cause of the crisis in the state.

As a solution, the group demanded the formation of a panel of non-partisan eminent Nigerians to mediate between the rival factions. They insisted that the mediation process be concluded within 60 days, allowing the state of emergency to be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.

Dr. Isaacs warned that extending the state of emergency beyond 90 days would only worsen the situation and pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to end the state of emergency he imposed on Rivers State within 90 days of its proclamation,” Isaacs stated. “Allowing it to run longer will compound the problem in the state and may jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy.”

Additionally, the Coalition urged political parties to rein in their members involved in similar disputes in other states, warning that continued political wrangling could lead to further suspension of democratic structures across 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,” Isaacs concluded.

The Coalition’s plea underscores growing concerns over political stability and the need for democratic processes to resolve conflicts in Rivers State and beyond