A former Deputy Governor of Rivers State and the Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has expressed gratitude for the return of peace in the state.
In a statement on her Facebook page, Senator Harry-Banigo thanked God Almighty for what she described as the “sustained peace” in the state.
She praised President Bola Tinubu for playing a fatherly role in resolving the internal political crisis that had threatened the unity of the state.
“I thank God Almighty for the sustained peace in Rivers State. Congratulations to the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his fatherly role in resolving a political family rift,” she said.
Harry-Banigo also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara; and other leaders for embracing dialogue and reconciliation.
“I also commend the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara; and other leaders in the state for embracing peace and reconciliation. Congratulations to Rivers State!” she stated.
The statement came amid mixed reactions over the truce brokered by President Tinubu between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike—a deal the suspended governor has described as crucial for the state’s stability and development.
‘Tinubu’s Intervention’
President Tinubu last Thursday met with Fubara, Wike, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and members of the assembly.
SAAMEDIA.INFO gathered that, at the meeting, the President reconciled the parties whose dispute led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state on March 18.
The meeting also marked the second time Fubara would be seen meeting with the President, who suspended him, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers Assembly while declaring emergency rule in the state.
President Tinubu attributed his action to the inability of the governor and the state Assembly to find ways to work together and the security situation in the state, among other things.
Photos from Thursday’s meeting painted a picture of a breakthrough in efforts to resolve the prolonged political crisis in Rivers, with one photo showing the President with the governor and minister all smiling.
Barely two days after the fresh round of peace talks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule, again appeared in public together at a funeral service in Rumueprikom, Wike’s hometown in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
‘No Sacrifice Too Big For Peace’
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Fubara said that there was no sacrifice too big for the peace, stability, and progress of the state.
Addressing his supporters in Port Harcourt, he reassured them that every step he had taken, including the recent reconciliation with his predecessor, was done with their collective interest in mind.
The governor acknowledged the anxiety and disappointment felt by many of his loyalists following the peace deal but insisted that difficult times call for difficult decisions and concessions.
