“I Foresaw Rivers Crisis,” Says President Tinubu, Urges PANDEF Leaders to Champion Peace

By Kelechi Boms in Port Harcourt

President Bola Tinubu has broken his silence on the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, revealing that he had anticipated the current turmoil and made both private and public efforts to prevent it.

The President said he has made effort both “publicly and privately, but Fubara renegaded on the agreement made.

Speaking to leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in State Houseon on Tuesday, Tinubu expressed his concerns and called for a return to peace in the oil-rich state.

“I foresaw the problem we have today,” Tinubu stated, addressing the gathering. He emphasised the importance of resolving the crisis through lawful means, urging the PANDEF leaders to take an active role in restoring stability. “Go back home and work for peace, in compliance with the rule of law,” he told the forum.

The President’s remarks come amid growing tensions in Rivers State, where a political standoff between Governor Simi Fubara and a fraction led by former governor Wike has threatened governance and development.