Chief Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, and Tein Jack-Rich, a humanitarian and politician, both sons of Rivers State, have called for peace amid the current political turmoil in the state.
The two Niger Delta strongmen, who made the call on Friday when Jack-Rich paid Dokubo a courtesy visit at his home in Obuama, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers, also called for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dokubo, who noted with concern the political impasse in the state, said though disagreements were normal, the leaders should not continue on the “path of bearing grudges against each other”.
He said Rivers people could not afford to be left behind at the federal level, so they must take advantage of Tinubu’s inclusive government and give the president all the support he required to succeed.
The Niger Delta warlord, who further dispelled rumours of a rift between him and the president, said though he was not happy about certain things, he had put all that behind him and would continue to support Tinubu in his quest to restore the dignity of Nigeria.
“I am not a regular politician; I am just a friend of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am not looking for appointments, but those seeking appointments made sacrifices and are looking up to me to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain,” he said.
Dokubo, who recalled that his friendship with Tinubu dated back to the early 90s, said he had complete faith in the president’s capacity, leadership qualities, and passion for equity and justice.
He called on Fubara and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to settle amicably whatever differences they had and work together to ensure that Rivers people enjoyed the dividends of democracy, both at the federal and state levels.
“And as our brother (Jack-Rich) said, we must always move forward and work for the good of Rivers,” he appealed.
Speaking earlier, Jack-Rich lauded Tinubu for his timely intervention in the political crisis in the state.
He said the president’s intervention had doused further tensions in the state and restored confidence and hope for the people and investors.
“When it comes to the issue of Rivers, we are stakeholders, and our interest is for the peace, economic survival, political and economic inclusion of Rivers.
“Sometimes friends fight, parents and children might have disagreements, and they express such in their ways; I am appealing to the FCT minister and our governor to work out their differences,” he said.
