Fubara: True Peace Requires Sacrifice, No Matter the Cost

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing peace, stability, and progress in the state, stating that no sacrifice is too great in pursuit of these goals.

Fubara made this known following a recent reconciliation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Both leaders were present at a late-night peace meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

By Saturday, Wike and Fubara were seen together again at the burial of Wike’s uncle in Port Harcourt — an event confirmed by the minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, in a post on X.

Addressing supporters afterward, Fubara acknowledged that the peace accord with Wike has sparked mixed emotions among his loyalists. He admitted the decision was difficult but necessary, made with the collective good of Rivers people in mind.

“We’ve fought our battles. Anyone who has genuinely followed this struggle knows we’ve given our all,” Fubara said. “But at this point, the honest and only solution left is peace. I’ve always said that no price is too high for peace — I meant every word and I stand by it.”

He acknowledged Wike’s significant role in the state’s political development, despite their differences. “Regardless of our disagreements, no one can deny the sacrifices he made. And if the time has come for reconciliation, those who believe in me must understand that it’s the right path.”

Fubara emphasized that true peace is not brokered by intermediaries alone but must come from mutual understanding and agreement between both parties. He also linked the protracted political conflict to stalled development projects across the state.

“This issue isn’t just about me — it’s about what’s best for Rivers. Many initiatives have been halted due to this political rift. Imagine the progress we could have made by now,” he noted.

Promising not to abandon his supporters, Fubara called for collective readiness to make the necessary sacrifices to fully restore peace. “This is the time for me to prove that I truly care. I will not walk away from you. But we must all be prepared — the path to lasting peace will require a heavy sacrifice.”