Political allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are moving towards reconciliation as efforts to end their long-running political differences continue in Rivers State.
The latest development followed a meeting between Fubara and members of the Magnus Abe-led reconciliation committee of the Rainbow Coalition at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The meeting was the second time the committee had met with the governor within two weeks as part of efforts to rebuild relations among members of the political group.
The committee said its reconciliation efforts would not be used to punish or exclude any member because of previous political disagreements. It said all members would be treated fairly as the group works towards restoring unity among its members.
Abe explained that the committee had been holding discussions with key political figures to find a way for former rivals to work together again. He said the latest meeting with Fubara was aimed at making further progress on the peace process and ensuring that Rivers residents understood the new political direction.
The reconciliation committee was established by Wike as part of efforts to bring the divided political camps together.
Another member of the delegation, Samuel Nwanosike, who is the All Progressives Congress Publicity Secretary in the South-South, praised Fubara for receiving the group and allowing discussions to take place.
Nwanosike said the recent meetings had produced encouraging results and indicated that members of the political family were gradually returning to a common platform.
He added that the group hoped the reconciliation would eventually lead to better cooperation and allow Rivers residents to benefit from improved political stability and governance.
Chief Ambrose Nwuzi, another stakeholder who attended the meeting, said those who supported Fubara had agreed to embrace peace. He described the earlier disagreements among the political actors as part of the challenges that can arise within political relationships.
Nwuzi said the reconciliation process had already made progress and that the remaining step was for Wike, regarded as the leader of the group, to give his final backing to the agreement.
The renewed talks come after months of political tension between Fubara and Wike, who previously worked closely together before their relationship became strained.
The disagreement had divided political figures and supporters in Rivers State, with different camps taking opposing positions on the dispute.
The latest meetings, however, suggest that both sides are now willing to put their differences aside and rebuild their political relationship.
The delegation that met with Fubara also included Kingsley Chinda, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, and Tamosisi Jaja, among other political stakeholders.
The reconciliation efforts are expected to continue as the political leaders work towards reaching a lasting agreement and restoring cooperation among the different factions in Rivers State.