During an interview with TVC News on Friday, Mallam Baba Yusuf expressed his views on the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, emphasizing that the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike appears irreconcilable.
He pointed out that he forsee the exit of Governor Fubara from office and the emergence of a new governor for Rivers State.
He further added that the situation has escalated beyond mediation, as the two key figures share similar personality traits, making any attempt at resolving their differences virtually impossible.
"Governor Fubara and excellency Wike have similar personality types, so it is going to be very difficult to mediate especially at this point in time. What I see is a tactical exit of the governor going forward and the emergence of another governor at the end of the day, because both parties will never settle," Yusuf stated.
Immediate Past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara
Yusuf's comments were made in response to the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
Ibas assumed office on Thursday, taking over the affairs of the state after President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state's House of Assembly due to the ongoing political crisis.
Ibas, a former Naval Chief, arrived at the Government House in Port Harcourt, where he was formally received by the Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke.
During his appointment, Ibas vowed to restore Port Harcourt to its original state and stabilize the region.
While acknowledging the crucial role Ibas must play in stabilizing the state, Yusuf warned that the Sole Administrator faces significant challenges, particularly in trying to mediate the political conflict.
According to Yusuf, Fubara's loyalists would likely perceive Ibas as someone aligned with either President Tinubu or Minister Wike, complicating his ability to act impartially.
Yusuf further argued that mediation in Rivers State is unlikely to succeed, given the entrenched positions of the two political factions.
He believes that the battle between Fubara and Wike is a "fight to finish" and that any effort to bridge the divide would be futile.
Yusuf said, "In my own humble view, the sole administrator's role and responsibilities will be to stabilize the state, ensure security and the safety of the people of Rivers, and critical infrastructure a d resources."
He added, "It is going to be difficult for the sole administrator to provide mediation intervention in this state because already some people, like the Fubara side will see him as someone who is on the side of the president or on the side of Minister Wike. I belong to the school of though that mediation is not going to work, it is a fight to finish."
Watch the video from 4:00 minute
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