No amount of blackmail would bring peace to Rivers State, says to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
All important parties, including National Assembly members, must be actively involved if peace is to prevail in the state, according to Wike.
He said that disasters that would have struck the state were prevented by the declaration of emergency rule.
This was spoken by Wike, a former state governor, at a Thanksgiving ceremony held in Port Harcourt on Friday to commemorate the 70th birthday of former federal politician Ken Chikere.
The state’s many protests, according to the FCT minister, will not bring the suspended leaders back.
He criticised other politicians and the traditional rulers for allegedly siding with one side in the state’s political conflict.
Wike said that no real attempt had been made by the monarchs to bring the conflicting factions together.
“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 denounced ladies who demonstrated in the streets while nude in an effort to lift the state’s emergency and restore elected officials.
According to Wike, a genuine reconciliation between the two sides, regardless of political parties or interest groups, is what might restore peace to the state.
READ ALSO: Tension in the House: Rivers Administrator Dodges Reps as Emergency Rule Grips State
“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 are 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.”
