Rivers crisis avoidable political misstep – Obi

• Urges Fubara, others to embrace peace

By Sola Ojo, Abuja

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the recent political crisis in Rivers State as a “misstep that should not have happened”.

He warned that the constitutional breach that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in that state by President Bola Tinubu would leave long-lasting scars on Nigeria’s democracy.

Obi, in his verified X handle on Thursday, noted that the restoration of democratic order in Rivers after six months of needless disruption was both a relief and a reminder of the fragility of the nation’s democratic institutions.

Quoting the popular saying that “the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing”, Obi urged the state’s political leaders to draw lessons from the crisis.

“A true leader is one who admits their mistakes, is smart enough to learn from them, and is strong enough to correct them,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor congratulated the people of Rivers State for their resilience during the turbulent period, commending their endurance in the face of provocations.

He also appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, members of the State House of Assembly, and all political stakeholders in Rivers to embrace peace and move the state forward.

“The real mistake is one where we end up learning nothing. Be assured that a new Nigeria is possible and inevitable,” Obi added.