Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges President Tinubu to set up a committee, chaired by Chief Ebitu Ukiwe, to resolve the ongoing crisis in Rivers State

The Dim Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a high-level committee to resolve the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.

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Okwukwu, the factional President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, emphasized the need for a peace committee chaired by elder statesman and former Chief of Staff, Chief Ebitu Ukiwe, to oversee the resolution process.

Okwukwu expressed his support for the President’s choice of Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole Administrator of Rivers State, noting that he hoped Ibas would carry out his duties with the fear of God, respect for humanity, and adherence to the rule of law.

However, he added that the ongoing crisis required the involvement of a diverse group of influential figures to achieve lasting peace and stability.

“We happily and sincerely present Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) to chair the peace committee,” Okwukwu said. “He has a better understanding of the former Eastern region, which makes him well-suited for this important task.”

He further suggested that the tribes directly impacted by the crisis should have a voice in the committee, calling for nominations from the Ikwere, Ijaw, and Ogoni communities.

“You can’t constitute a peace committee and exclude the people who will be directly affected by its decision,” he added, stressing the importance of ensuring that all relevant parties have input in the resolution process.

Okwukwu acknowledged that the conflict was an internal issue among the people of the former Eastern region and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing someone from this area to the role of sole Administrator.

“We thank the President for bringing someone from the Niger Delta, former Eastern region, to be sole Administrator. He understands the situation better than an outsider would,” Okwukwu explained.

Additionally, Okwukwu urged both indigenous and non-indigenous people in Rivers State, as well as all parties involved in the conflict, to maintain peace during the ongoing state of emergency.

He appealed to the parties to cooperate with the sole Administrator, ensuring that peace prevails in the state.

“We call on them to cooperate with the sole Administrator to discharge the mandate of his office,” he said.

He also expressed the hope that by the end of the six-month state of emergency, the situation would improve, leading to a lifting of the emergency status.

Okwukwu attributed the crisis partly to a lack of respect for agreements among the parties involved and emphasized the importance of upholding such agreements to avoid further escalation.

In addition, Okwukwu highlighted the need to show respect for the Martin Amaehule-led House of Assembly, stressing that the 27 members who form the majority should have their outstanding salaries paid.

“It is important that we ensure the proper recognition and respect for the legislative body,” he added.

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As the peace process unfolds, Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for a balanced and inclusive approach to resolving the Rivers State crisis underscores the importance of dialogue and collaboration between all stakeholders in fostering lasting peace and stability in the region.