Rivers crisis: Coalition begs Tinubu to intervene as supporters of Wike, Fubara clash

A coalition of 100 pro-democracy groups under the auspices of the National Patriotic Coalition, NPC, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.

Gatekeeper reports that the face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile godfather, Nyesom Wike, plunged the state into chaos.

Supporters of Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and loyalists of Governor Fubara have clashed on different occasions.

On Wednesday, a baby was tear-gassed and became unconscious when supporters of the two political gladiators clashed again in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that the clash occurred during a government medical outreach in the Eliozu community, Obio-Akpor LGA.

Reacting, the coalition, in a statement issued on Thursday by its president, Olusegun Johnson, appealed to the president to intervene in the matter.

Part of the statement reads: “There’s an urgent need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the political crisis in Rivers State.

“We are aware that the President made a remarkable effort towards resolving the crisis last year by initiating the Rivers Peace Accord, which was later thwarted by Wike and his supporters, who blatantly disregarded the terms and conditions of the peace accord.

“But as the father of the nation, the President must not give up on the peace of any part of the federation.

“Therefore, we appeal to Mr President to once again intervene in the political crisis in Rivers State to prevent a breakdown in law and order.”

The coalition also alleged that some persons are planning to take advantage of the planned nationwide protest against hardship to cause mayhem in the state.