Prominent South-South elder statesman and member of the South-South Elders Forum, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has called for calm, forgiveness, and unity in Rivers State, warning that political differences must never be allowed to undermine the deep social and cultural ties that bind the people together.
His remarks came during a televised interview following the recent lifting of the six-month emergency rule in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The state, which has witnessed months of political turbulence and institutional paralysis, now faces the task of rebuilding democratic processes and restoring public trust.
The emergency rule, implemented in response to the prolonged conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and some members of the Rivers State political establishment, marked a rare and critical intervention by the federal government.
With its suspension, attention has now turned to reconciliation and the rebuilding of political bridges.
Sara-Igbe reflected on the crisis and its impact on the political and social atmosphere of Rivers State, emphasizing that political disagreement should never evolve into hatred or destruction.
He said that while politics inevitably brings differing views and competition, those divisions should not be allowed to tear apart the unity that has long defined communities in the state.
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“Rivers people are known for resolving disagreements without resorting to violence,” he said during the interview. “Politics is not war. It is about having different opinions. But we must never allow those opinions to make us enemies. I have never seen a time when we burned down houses or destroyed ourselves because of political disputes. That is not the Rivers way.”
His words come at a time when tensions remain high following the political standoff between Governor Fubara and former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
While the crisis led to deep divisions within the state’s political class, Sara-Igbe maintained a conciliatory tone, urging key figures on both sides to prioritize reconciliation.
Speaking personally, he revealed that despite political differences, he still considers Wike a friend. “Nyesom Wike is my friend,” he said. “We used to eat together, and I believe after all of this, we can still sit and eat together again. I have nothing against him, and I don’t believe he has anything against me.”
Sara-Igbe drew from his personal experiences to stress that political disputes should not disrupt family or long-standing personal relationships.
He cited the example of his uncle, Ferdi Alabraba, with whom he sometimes disagrees politically, yet with whom he still shares family meals and mutual respect.
“That’s the kind of spirit we need in politics,” he said. “You can disagree without becoming enemies. Politics comes and goes, but family remains. Community remains.”
As Rivers State begins to recover from the institutional and social strain of the past six months, Sara-Igbe’s message is a call to both the political class and the people of the state to look beyond the immediate conflicts and focus on lasting peace.
His appeal is not only to Governor Fubara and Minister Wike but also to their supporters, urging all sides to step away from the rhetoric of division and return to dialogue.
He stressed that unity is more vital than political victory, and forgiveness more valuable than retaliation.
The crisis, he suggested, should be a turning point, an opportunity for Rivers State to reaffirm its identity as a community rooted in tolerance, resilience, and mutual respect.
“Rivers State has been through a lot,” he said. “But we can come out of this stronger, if we choose peace over conflict, and understanding over pride.”
With normalcy gradually returning and political institutions resuming their functions, the coming weeks and months will test the willingness of the state’s leaders to heed that advice.