Today’s Supreme Court verdict which reaffirmed the victory of Governor Siminialayi Fubara marks a pivotal moment for our beloved state. Indeed the unfortunate activities of the last few weeks have left our state tensed and sharply polarized many Rivers people along party and ethic lines as have never been seen in our shared history.
But as we navigate through the decision of the apex court today, it is important that we unite in a shared commitment to peace, understanding, and a collective pursuit of justice for all.
We must adopt the “No Victor, No Vanquish” option to enable us see through the peculiar situation we find ourselves. For those who were not favoured by the Judgment, let’s sheath our swords in the bigger interest of our state and to those who were favoured, please remember that we are all one, and extend the olive branch in its true sense.
The Supreme Court ruling does not also call for unwarranted celebration knowing that this is simply a resolution of a difference between brothers, so as not to fuel the feeling of loss that may result in violence.
We all know that the happenings in our state today, transcends political and party lines. It is obvious that our economy and social lives are seriously impacted negatively as a result of the seeming lack of security occasioned by this unsettled political waters. The fear in the state and negative impact knows no party, religious or ethnic affiliations and hence it requires our collective resolve.
In light of this, we call on our politicians to refrain from using inflammatory, derogatory and vexing words to avoid heating up the political and socio-economic landscape of our state. We must realize that everything in life has got its time and season. If the dispensation is not favorable to you today, it is not the end of life. The next election cycle may be your season. So, lets desist from the attitude of tearing down the system simply because it does not appear to favour us. We need to be more accommodating and less confrontational to dissenting views, as they will always be there, no matter what. We must take it as a point of duty to educate our supporters on the need for peace irrespective of the Supreme Court Judgement which has now affirmed Sir Fubara as our duly elected Governor.
There is need to stop forthwith, the obnoxious attacks and disparaging remarks on the revered office of the Governor of Rivers State.
As custodians of our culture and as the closest authority to the people, we appeal to our traditional rulers to rise up to the challenge, and the time is now! They need to begin to talk to their subjects and use every traditional approach, including where necessary, threat of sanction to ensure peace reign in their various domains, knowing that when peace reigns in every domain, then peace reigns in the entire state. Their role in ensuring peace cannot be over-emphasized.
Our dear elders, no doubt, these are trying times, but this is the time to decipher the wisdom in the grey. You should not be seen as taking sides nor making statements capable of aggravating the situation on ground as we have seen in recent past. Elders are not judges to decide who is wrong, but peace-makers and speak wisdom to authority. This is your role especially now that the Supreme Court has given it’s verdict.
I appeal to my fellow youths to shun the urge to exhibit youthful strength to instigate troubles of any kind. Let us not forget the adage which says, you do not use the length of a snake, to determine the length of wood required to roast it, so as to avoid wasting the long trees in the forest.
Much as our youthful vigor is not in doubt, please, this is the time to exercise restraint, so we will not be like the monkey which ignorantly celebrated the burning of the bush, only to realize later at night that what it celebrated was the loss of it’s abode. Wisdom, the Bible says is profitable to direct, and so it should be. Let’s say “No” to violence, irrespective of the side of the divide we find ourselves. The future can be better!
In concluding, let me reiterate herein that the onerous task to ensuring peace and harmony for enhanced development of our beloved Rivers State, is a collective task. To ensure that our state does not in any way degenerate into a level of anarchy and lawlessness, especially as it is insinuated, and possibly so, that various factions are beginning to rehearse the beatings of war drums. It is like the ill wind that blows no one any good and we must not allow it to happen in any guise of ethnic, political or whatever divide. This is a task that must be done in the interest of not only our children, but our children’s children.
Together, we can build a harmonious future where our differences are celebrated, not divisive.
May Governor Sim Fubara succeed!
May Rivers State flourish!
Thank you and God bless you.
Obinna Ebogidi
Convener, Rivers Peace Initiative