‘They’re Quarrelling Over Spoils’ – Wali Advises Rivers Residents to Remain Calm

A respected elder statesman in Rivers State, Kingsley Wenenda Wali, has appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid emotional reactions amid the ongoing political disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wali described the tension currently playing out in the state as a routine political occurrence, stressing that disagreements of this nature are common when political power is involved. According to him, the situation should not be exaggerated or misinterpreted as a sign of instability or failure in Rivers State.

He explained that the disagreement reflects a fallout between two political stakeholders who jointly secured political power but later became divided over the terms and benefits tied to that political arrangement. In his view, the issue is not unusual in political settings where alliances are formed for electoral success.

Despite this, Wali expressed concern over the alleged agreement that was reportedly reached between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike before the 2023 governorship election. He noted that the refusal of both parties to publicly clarify the content of that agreement has made it difficult for Rivers people to properly understand the root of the disagreement.

According to Wali, transparency is essential if citizens are to make informed judgments about the situation. He argued that without knowing the exact terms agreed upon, it would be unfair for the public to take sides or apportion blame.

He maintained that the ongoing dispute should not be seen as a crisis but rather as a political disagreement between individuals who once shared a common goal.

“What is happening in Rivers State is purely political, and I don’t believe people should be overly distracted by the behavior of politicians,” Wali stated.

He further explained that both Governor Fubara and Minister Wike were involved in discussions and reached an agreement before the election, yet neither has come forward to explain what was agreed upon.

“If we are told the terms of their agreement, then we can properly evaluate who may have acted in bad faith,” he said.

Wali added that it would be inappropriate for him or anyone else who was not part of those discussions to make absolute judgments about individuals who are now in conflict over political benefits.

He emphasized that it is unjust for any political actor to enter into an agreement, benefit from it, and later abandon its terms while still seeking public sympathy. According to him, if such an agreement was not in the best interest of Rivers people, the responsible party has a moral duty to acknowledge it and take corrective steps.

Wali questioned whether the agreement truly served the long-term interest of Rivers State, stating that political integrity demands accountability and honesty.

He referenced former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who openly admitted that the election that brought him into office was flawed and committed himself to electoral reforms. Wali cited this as an example of leadership that prioritizes truth and national interest over personal gain.

He also criticized attempts to portray the current governor as completely innocent, arguing that no individual can benefit from the excesses or misconduct of a previous administration and later claim moral superiority.

Wali recalled events surrounding the 2023 governorship election, alleging that supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) camped for several weeks at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to him, this action was aimed at preventing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Tonye Cole, from obtaining certified true copies of election documents needed for his legal challenge.

He argued that benefiting from such actions and later claiming innocence or moral authority amounts to hypocrisy.

“You cannot benefit from wrongdoing and expect to be described as innocent,” Wali said.

He stressed that the public should not forget how electoral processes were allegedly manipulated, noting that anyone who benefited from such actions should not expect to be viewed as blameless.

Wali urged Rivers people to critically assess both pre-election and post-election activities and to reflect on whether those actions truly served the long-term interest of the state.

He further observed that Rivers residents have, over time, become accustomed to political pressure and governance challenges, describing the current situation as a continuation of familiar political patterns.

In conclusion, Wali expressed confidence that the disagreement between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike would eventually resolve itself. He emphasized that the matter remains a political issue and should not be allowed to divide or destabilize Rivers people.