The Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy urges President Tinubu to establish a reconciliation committee for Rivers State’s political crisis
A pro-democracy group, the 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.
Also read: Ijaw Nation Declares Resistance Against Injustice, Calls for Unity
This plea comes in response to the state of emergency declared by the President on March 18, 2025, following escalating tensions in the state.
The coalition voiced concerns that the state of emergency, which saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, would only bring about a “forced peace” rather than genuine reconciliation.
The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator of Rivers State to oversee affairs during the emergency period.
In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu explained that he was deeply troubled by the political crisis in Rivers State, particularly following the alleged demolition of the State House of Assembly building by Governor Fubara.
However, the decision to impose a state of emergency has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning its legality and appropriateness.
Dr. Olayemi Isaacs, the convener of the coalition, expressed fears that the emergency rule would only delay true peace and reconciliation in Rivers State.
He emphasized that resolving the crisis requires democratic processes and genuine dialogue, not emergency measures that might suppress the underlying issues.
The coalition also criticized Tinubu’s actions, arguing that the declaration of a state of emergency effectively supported the corrupt political practices associated with Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The coalition claimed that Wike’s rent-seeking behavior contributed significantly to the crisis and called for a more inclusive, reconciliatory approach to resolving the political standoff.
As part of their proposal, the coalition urged Tinubu to set up a non-partisan panel of eminent Nigerians to mediate between the conflicting parties in the Rivers State crisis.
They recommended that the mediation process be concluded within 60 days, allowing the state of emergency to be lifted within 90 days from its declaration.
The group warned that extending the emergency period beyond 90 days could further destabilize the state and harm Nigeria’s democracy.
In addition to urging swift action on the reconciliation efforts, the coalition appealed to political parties across Nigeria to control their members in states facing similar political disputes, stressing that unchecked political wrangling could lead to more states being placed under emergency rule, undermining the democratic process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The call for a peaceful resolution reflects growing concerns about the political climate in Rivers State and the broader implications for democracy in Nigeria.
