Sampou, Bayelsa State – Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to take decisive measures aimed at restoring peace in Rivers State for the purpose of fostering rapid development.
Governor Diri offered this counsel during a meeting on Thursday, held at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, where Governor Fubara, accompanied by top government officials, made his first official visit to Bayelsa since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
Highlighting the indispensable role of peace in the developmental process, Governor Diri emphasized that meaningful progress could only be achieved in an environment of tranquility. The Bayelsa governor stressed the enduring brotherly relationship between Rivers and Bayelsa, asserting that developments in one state invariably impact the other.
Expressing concern over the political crisis in Rivers, Governor Diri disclosed his behind-the-scenes efforts to facilitate a return to peace in the state. He cautioned against attaching ethnic dimensions to the crisis, emphasizing the unity of the Ikwerre of Rivers and the Ijaw people in both Rivers and Bayelsa.
Governor Diri underscored the futility of inter-ethnic conflicts, stating, “We cannot afford to fight each other; it would be a senseless battle between brothers.” He further advised Governor Fubara to exhibit tolerance and patience while prioritizing the delivery of development initiatives to the people of Rivers State.
In the spirit of fostering closer ties between the two states, Governor Diri welcomed Governor Fubara’s willingness to seek an amicable solution to the ongoing legal dispute between Bayelsa and Rivers. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to collaboration and cooperation for the collective progress of both states.
