The House of Representatives speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, has announced a plan to set up a reconciliation committee over the unending Rivers crisis
Abbas announced the development during the plenary on Tuesday, May 6, adding that it would be done in conjunction with the Senate
The speaker said that the move was a response to the growing political rift between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. …CONTINUE READING
Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House of Representatives, has disclosed that the National Assembly would soon create a high-level reconciliation committee to address the unending political crisis rocking Rivers state
The Rivers political crisis is between the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the estranged immediate past governor of the state, now minister of the Federal Capital, Nyesom Wike.
In recent months, the rift between the two political gladiators escalated, leading to attacks on oil installations and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu, after declaring the state of emergency, announced the suspension of the governor and the state house of assembly loyal to the former governor. But Abbas, at the resumption of the plenary on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, disclosed the plan of the national assembly to set up a reconciliation committee.
According to Abbas, the decision was taken in collaboration with the Senate, and the committee would consist of national figures who would promote peace, facilitate dialogue, and support the bringing back of democratic order in the state and other conflict-ridden states.
The latest move is coming weeks after the National Assembly endorsed President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state. The House had constituted a 21-member ad hoc committee to provide an oversight function for the sole administrator appointed by the president in the state.
The House of Representatives ad hoc committee was chaired by House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere, who had already commenced engagement with the key stakeholders in the state.
Abbas maintained that the House was committed to its constitutional responsibilities and ensuring national stability. He added that the initiative was a reaction to the complex challenges facing leadership in the state.
Consequently, the Senate on the same day constituted its committee to oversee the activities of the Rivers administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd). Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the development during the plenary.
According to Akpabio, the development was to ensure transparency and promote accountability in the governors of Rivers during the interim time. He added that the committee’s constitution could be reviewed after further consultations have been made.
