Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday, led some prominent leaders of the state to visit his Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri, at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Council, where they agreed to work together to settle issues concerning property jointly owned by both states and pending in court.
According to the Rivers governor, his visit was to underscore the importance of the unification meeting that should open a new chapter between the two states in renewing their brotherhood and never allow administrative boundary issues to create animosity between them anymore.
He said: “The purpose of my presence today is not a mere visit, but a reunification meeting. Our visit is to let our brother know that we want to work together for a common purpose and the development of both states.
“We have a lot of things in Rivers State that are jointly owned by both states. I know we have not had this kind of meeting before, but we desire that from this moment, whatever the issues are, let us look for a way to settle them amicably so that we can forge ahead. ”On his part, Diri urged his Rivers State counterpart, to work for peace for his vision to develop the state to be actualised.
He cautioned against giving ethnic coloration to the crisis, insisting that the Ikwerre of Rivers and the Ijaw of both Rivers and Bayelsa are one, and cannot afford to fight each other, as it would amount to a senseless battle between brothers.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that Rivers and Bayelsa have a long-standing brotherly relationship, and whatever affects one affects the other.
Fubara commended Diri and the people of Bayelsa State for their show of solidarity with his administration amid the political crisis that erupted in Rivers State.
He told his Bayelsa counterpart that if he accepts the brotherly handshake extended to him, then he would not sneeze in isolation because they would be stronger together, as they forge ahead as one people. The Rivers governor acknowledged the fatherly role played by President Bola Tinubu in mediating the Rivers political crisis.
