Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Diris said Tinubu should rather set up a committee to reconcile the different parties to the dispute in the state.

Diri, who contended that the Rivers crisis can be resolved through dialogue, also emphasised that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He made the appeal on Wednesday, at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress, at the Sani Abacha Hall of the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

Diri urged Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to immediately intervene and restore peace and bring the legally constituted government back to office in Rivers State.

He said, “Again, I restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers State. l urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office.

“The South-South Governors’ Forum, of which I am chairman, had urged the president to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties.

“However, let me be unequivocal. The Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He maintained that the Ijaw people remain committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria and, as one of the major and largest ethnic groups, alongside other ethnic nationalities, had made immense sacrifices for the country’s unity and prosperity.

He said, “Today, we must again draw from the fountain of wisdom. It is imperative that we resist being manipulated and refuse to be drawn into a conflict orchestrated by desperate people propagating their agenda. We must approach every situation with discernment, ensuring that our actions align with long-term goals rather than short-term interests.

“Our contributions, political, economic, and environmental, are undeniable. We should continue to advocate for justice, fairness, and inclusivity within a united Nigeria. I urge all Ijaws, especially our vibrant youths, to exercise restraint, maintain peace, and steer clear of actions that could escalate tensions. Our future is best secured through engagement, dialogue, and strategic partnerships.



https://punchng.com/rivers-emergency-rule-diri-pushes-for-dialogue/