The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that no amount of blackmail will bring peace to Rivers State.
For peace to prevail in the state, Wike stated that all important players, including National Assembly members, must be involved with sincerity of purpose.
He argued that the declaration of emergency rule prevented disasters in the state.
Wike, the state’s former governor, made the statement while addressing a Thanksgiving ceremony in Port Harcourt on Friday to commemorate the 70th birthday of a former federal politician named Ken Chikere.
According to the FCT minister, the state’s numerous protests would not result in the reinstatement of the suspended leaders.
He chastised traditional rulers and other elites for allegedly taking sides in the state’s political crises.
Wike claimed that the monarchs had not made any genuine efforts to reconcile the conflicting parties during the crisis.
“One month after Mr President, in his wisdom, declared a state of emergency to save Rivers State from anarchy, I challenge any Rivers so-called elder, even the traditional rulers, to state the attempt they made to bring total peace in the state.
“No amount of going to television to abuse anybody will bring peace, because we have always said that those who thrive in crisis are always happy when there is a crisis. When there is no crisis, there is no food on the table. Those people cannot be real elders.”
He lambasted ladies who protested naked on the streets demanding an end to the state’s emergency rule and the reinstatement of elected officials.
Wike stated that the only way to bring peace to the state is for both parties to reconcile, regardless of political parties or interest groups.
“There is no need to embarrass our women to be naked outside. No amount of such can bring peace; no amount of such blackmail can bring peace. What can bring peace is for you to humble yourself. And say, for the interest of the state, I want everybody to work together.
“If you were sincere, everybody would have known. Some people have tried to approach me, and I received them.
“I did not pursue them, but seeing me alone does not bring peace. There are critical stakeholders that must be involved in the process of this peacemaking. Nobody will be excluded. If any group is excluded, it means there is no total peace.
“Members of the State Assembly and the National Assembly must be involved. The two political parties must be involved; other leaders must be involved. In that way, we will now know that they are sincere in talking about peace.”
