Udengs Eradiri, a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has voiced his disappointment over what he described as the politicisation of the reconciliation efforts needed to restore democratic governance in Rivers State.
Eradiri, who is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), criticized the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for lacking genuine commitment and the expected political maturity to lead a sincere reconciliation process. In a statement issued from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Eradiri expressed concern that Fubara had failed to follow through meaningfully after his initial meeting with his former political mentor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“I was disturbed, shocked, and disappointed to learn that Governor Fubara has not taken any concrete steps toward reconciliation with key stakeholders,” Eradiri stated. “These include the Speaker and members of the suspended State House of Assembly, disaffected elders of Rivers State, and local government chairmen—individuals who were once aligned with him politically.”
Eradiri further referenced Chief Wike’s recent media interview, calling it “instructive and revealing,” especially Wike’s claim that Governor Fubara had been conducting reconciliation only through the media. “This approach,” Eradiri said, “is superficial, performative, and insufficient to resolve a crisis of this magnitude. Real reconciliation requires private, substantive dialogue—not public showmanship.”
The former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and later Environment urged Fubara to take ownership of the reconciliation process, lead with purpose, and abandon the optics that could derail peace efforts. He criticized the governor’s supporters, whom he accused of resuming political rallies, public performances, and media comments that he said were undermining the already fragile peace process.
According to Eradiri, such displays of loyalty from Fubara’s allies amount to “political showbiz and busybodyism,” which could worsen tensions. “Fubara must rein in his supporters and avoid tactics that have previously escalated the crisis,” he warned.
Looking ahead, Eradiri advised Fubara to broaden the reconciliation process by engaging with fellow governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly regarding the pending Supreme Court case filed by the PDP governors against the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. He argued that resolving the court case is essential because it limits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s capacity to act, due to the legal doctrine of sub judice.
“At this point, the reconciliation should have progressed to diplomatic engagements with PDP governors to consider withdrawing the Supreme Court case,” he said. “Without this step, there’s little the President can do, and the matter remains legally constrained.”
Eradiri warned that reinstating Fubara without thorough reconciliation could reignite hostilities and potentially lead to his impeachment. “If the political wounds are not healed genuinely, any return to office would be fragile and may only trigger another round of conflict,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, a recent report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) revealed that 65% of Rivers State residents view Fubara’s suspension as illegal, underscoring the complex political dynamics at play. As calls mount from former President Goodluck Jonathan and other key figures for President Tinubu to reinstate Fubara, the path forward remains fraught with legal and political challenges.
