Steps to address the ongoing political unrest in Rivers State were announced by the House of Representatives yesterday.

When parliamentarians reassembled after the Easter and Sallah holidays, Speaker of the House Hon. Tajudeen Abbas revealed this and emphasized the significance of reestablishing democratic stability in the state.

This was as a former President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri, has encouraged the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara to support the existing reconciliation process in the State.

George Turnah, the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, has been urged by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), to continue working with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Nonetheless, Abbas pointed out that the House’s support for the emergency rule declaration demonstrated both its swift response to the problem developing in the oil-rich area and its strong adherence to constitutional values.

In compliance with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as modified), the House approved the Proclamation of a State of Emergency once the president transmitted it.

In order to supervise the interim government and protect democratic accountability in the state, we subsequently established a 21-member Ad-hoc Committee headed by the Leader of the House.

Since then, that committee has started interacting with local stakeholders. We will collaborate with the Senate in the upcoming weeks to establish a high-level Committee on Reconciliation, which will include esteemed national leaders, in order to foster communication, advance peace, and aid in the restoration of democratic order in Rivers State and other areas afflicted by conflict.

“Honorable colleagues, as we engage in vital initiatives, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges facing our nation,” the Speaker remarked during recess, voicing concern over the ongoing insecurity cases plaguing the nation. Tragically, upsetting incidents during our recess included senseless murders in the states of Borno, Plateau, Benue, and Kwara.

Numerous civilians have been killed by the revival of terrorist strikes in the Northeast, especially a fatal blast close to Gamboru. Meanwhile, there have also been fatalities from intercommunal conflicts in Plateau State.

The House categorically denounces these assaults on defenseless civilians. We recognize that more funding is required for interagency collaboration, security intelligence, and surveillance technologies.

“I offer the House’s deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and implore our security forces to not only prosecute the offenders but also to step up efforts to stop future acts of violence.”

In Abuja, the International Monetary Fund wrapped up its 2025 Article IV consultation on the economy. The Fund recognized Nigeria’s efforts to reduce gasoline subsidies and Central Bank deficit funding, which demonstrate the country’s increasing budgetary restraint.

But it also urged persistent measures to strengthen external reserves and reduce inflation. As a legislative body, we will make sure that these macroeconomic goals are supported by our appropriation and monitoring procedures.

Udengs Eradiri, the former president of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, has asked Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, to continue the state’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Eradiri, the 2023 general election candidate for the Bayelsa State Labour Party (LP) governorship, asserted that Fubara followed his previous counsel to ask his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, for forgiveness.

He noted that several Ijaw elders disagreed with his suggestion that Fubara ask Wike for forgiveness, but he was happy the suspended governor recognized the sense of it.

In the midst of the ongoing reconciliation, Eradiri, a former Bayelsa Youths and Environment Commissioner, advised Fubara to learn to keep Rivers’ former adversaries at bay.

However, he urged Wike, suspended House of Assembly members, and other supporters of the minister to assist Fubara in promoting the state’s reconciliation effort.

Additionally, George Turnah, the acting chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa State, has been urged to continue working with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).

According to a release from Mr. Kevin Loveday Egbo, Turnah’s special assistant on media, Okaba also urged different political cooperation to make sure the Ijaw country did not lay all its eggs in one basket.

When Turnah called him as a courtesy to update him on the latest political events in the state, Okaba was cited as saying this.

Okaba praised Turnah for his visit and apology, calling it a sign of strong leadership. He also encouraged Turnah to visit Bayelsa State Governor and Ijaw nation governor-general Senator Douye Diri in a similar manner for the sake of reconciliation, the Ijaw nation’s unity, and the larger good.

During his speech, Turnah apologized for recent remarks made in public against the INC office that were misunderstood by some.

The head of the PDP caretaker committee asked for more support and praised Okaba for his committed leadership of the INC.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.