One year after its formation, the Simplicity Movement, originally founded in support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, has formally announced its dissolution and immediate transition into a new non-partisan civic platform named the Rivers Grassroots Movement (RGM).
The announcement was made at the weekend by the group’s convener, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, during a press briefing marking the first anniversary of the movement’s launch at Kalabari National College (KNC) Open Field in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
According to Jackrich, the Simplicity Movement was born out of a voluntary desire to support Governor Fubara’s calm, people-centred, and integrity-driven leadership. The movement, he explained, had mobilised across all 23 local government areas of the state without any financial inducement or directive from government officials.
“For the past year, we moved from community to community with one goal: to protect democratic institutions in Rivers State and support progress. Our commitment has always been about principle, not politics,” he said.
However, in deference to the peace and reconciliation efforts initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the directive from Governor Fubara to dismantle all factional support structures in his name, Jackrich declared the movement dissolved.
“This decision is not one of weakness, but of strength. We are stepping aside in discipline and in honour of peace, which our state urgently needs,” he said.
The press statement also praised the recent peace accord between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing it as “a new vista of opportunity” for cooperation and reconciliation.
“I do not see this reconciliation as a loss for either side,” Jackrich said. “Rather, it is a bold leap towards healing and unity. It is a chance for genuine progress rooted in shared responsibility.”
Jackrich went on to announce the birth of the Rivers Grassroot Movement, a broader and more inclusive platform designed to unite Rivers people across ethnic, political, and social lines in the pursuit of good governance, civic education, and community development.
The new movement, he said, will serve as a bridge between citizens and the government, with a vision for a “peaceful, united, and progressive Rivers State” where no citizen is left behind.
Key focus areas for RGM include promoting peace, tolerance, and inter-group understanding; supporting development policies through civic engagement; mobilising grassroots participation in governance, and strengthening collaboration with civil society and traditional institutions.
Jackrich urged all members of the dissolved Simplicity Movement to continue supporting Governor Fubara while respecting the political influence of Chief Wike, describing the latter as a “political father” in the state.
“We are not in opposition. We are not a faction. We are Rivers people. We are patriots. We are builders of peace,” he declared.
The RGM concluded its inaugural statement with a unifying call: “RGM—One Rivers. One Voice. One Purpose