Rivers crisis: Yoruba youths slam Wike for ‘not honouring peace accord’

The Oduduwa Youths Initiative (OYI), has slammed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for not honouring the peace accord initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement signed by its leader, Chief Gbenga Ojo, and made available to journalists on Thursday, the group said it is against the culture of the Yoruba people to disrespect elders and authorities in government.

In December, Governor Siminalayi Fubara signed an agreement with his predecessor to end the political crisis in Rivers State.

An eight-point peace deal was brokered by President Tinubu and other stakeholders at a crucial meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Ojo noted that the recent threat by the 27 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume impeachment proceedings against the Governor lends credence to the deepening crisis between the two parties.

But on his part, the group said Fubara implemented the agreements, including the re-appointment of the nine pro-Wike commissioners who resigned their positions in the heat of the crisis and payment of the withheld entitlements of the lawmakers.

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The statement by the group reads in parts:”We have followed the political crisis in Rivers State and the swift intervention by President Tinubu to end further hostilities.

“However, we have been surprised that the peace accord has not been implemented by the FCT Minister.

“For some months now, a particular group of people in their selfish bid to destablise the administration of Governor Fubara.

“In January, the lawmakers overrode the decision of the governor not to approve four bills earlier passed by the assembly. The governor had withheld his assent rightly stating that such amendments would create confusion and breach constituted laws.

“The Rivers House recently again overrode the decision of Fubara not to assent to some bills. They even resumed impeachment proceedings against the Governor.

“We, therefore, call on all the parties involved in the crisis rocking Rivers State to settle whatever rift amicably and allow for peace to reign for the development of the State.”