The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr. Tony Cole, has warned the Niger Delta elder statesman against the ongoing dispute between Governor Siminarayi Hubala and his predecessor, Mr. Nyesom Wike. He called for mediating the rift.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Thursday, Mr Cole expressed concern over the rising tensions in the state, saying the situation is volatile and could have negative consequences if not addressed through peaceful negotiations. I was warned that there would be.
Mr Cole stressed that without a political solution, Mr Hubala and Mr Wike are likely to continue their contentious and protracted political and judicial battles with no resolution found.
He maintained that the conflict between the former allies not only affects the political relations between the two countries, but also has far-reaching implications for governance and stability in Rivers State.
In a bid to foster dialogue, Mr Cole called on President Bola Tinubu to form a group of influential persons to mediate disputes between the two leaders.
He said the President was joined by former First Lady Patience Jonathan, former Rivers State Governor Ada George, Port Harcourt-based preacher David Ibiyomiye and Stanbic IBTC Bank founder Atedo Peterside. He suggested that prominent figures such as the United States should be involved in peacemaking efforts.
Mr. Cole noted that previous interventions by the president had not yielded the desired results, so a new approach was needed that involved respected figures in the region.
He stressed the importance of cooperation and understanding among political leaders to foster a more harmonious political climate in Rivers State.
He said, “There are certain people that the president must empower to speak on his behalf and condemn the causes of war because they have a greater interest in the nation.”
“I can name three or four people off the top of my head who he would be authorized to mediate with. I’ll start by calling Ada George, an old politician who served as governor. , I call a man who is considered to be a very powerful spiritual leader in the state, Pastor David Ibiyomie, whom I know we both respect.
“I’m going to call someone like Atedo Peterside, an elder statesman who has very little to do with politics but is outspoken and outspoken, and maybe Rivers State and all the dynamics that have happened. Because of her interest in, I will also refer to her Excellency as Patience Jonathan.
“Give these four people the power to sit on the side of the two conflicting factions in either case, bring in these people who have no direct interest in gaining anything from this mix, and make a difference in the future of the nation. “Let me talk to these two warring factions.”
“If this doesn’t work, we will fight to the end,” he said, but stressed the need to “find compromise-seeking interventions” to end the “huge battle to control Rivers State.”
