Tinubu Urged to Establish Truth and Reconciliation Committee in Rivers
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently establish an independent Truth and Reconciliation Committee to resolve the escalating political turmoil in Rivers State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, NCSCN President, Mr. Blessing Akinlosotu, emphasized that the crisis in Rivers has reached a critical stage, requiring the intervention of a neutral body. According to him, the proposed committee should consist of elder statesmen from outside Rivers, including former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, and Speakers of the House of Representatives. These individuals, he argued, would ensure an unbiased and thorough investigation into the root causes of the crisis.
“Unraveling the Truth Behind the Chaos”
Akinlosotu stressed that the committee should be mandated to conduct an in-depth inquiry, gather essential facts, and recommend a sustainable resolution that would restore lasting peace in the state. He noted that before the controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, the NCSCN had warned of the need for caution and restraint to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
He further criticized the demolition of the State House of Assembly, stating that the act was not only extreme but also symbolic of an assault on democracy. According to him, the Supreme Court’s verdict—affirming that there was no functioning government in Rivers—ultimately pre-empted President Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule.
“Saving Rivers from the Brink of Anarchy”
The NCSCN President warned that allowing the crisis to spiral into full-blown violence would have had far-reaching consequences, far worse than the temporary inconvenience of emergency rule. “A stitch in time saves nine,” he remarked, adding that proactive leadership was preferable to reactionary measures that come only after lives and properties have been lost.
However, Akinlosotu expressed concerns over the prolonged nature of the emergency rule, urging the federal government to consider lifting it within the next three months. He stated that the ultimate success of the intervention would be judged by the level of stability, progress, and political harmony restored under the leadership of the Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas.
“The milk has already been spilled; crying over it will not change anything,” he concluded. “But what we can do now is ensure that Rivers does not remain a battleground for political chaos. The priority must be a return to stability and democratic governance.”
With tensions still high in the state, all eyes are now on the federal government to determine the next steps in resolving the Rivers crisis once and for all.
Reference
Tinubu Urged to Establish Truth and Reconciliation Committee in Rivers