The Rivers Equity Group Foundation (REG), a non governmental organisation advocating fairness and inclusion, has raised alarm over what it described as “unsettling developments” that could undermine the established principle of power rotation in Rivers State.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the group through its leader, Elder Clapton Ogolo, said the state stands at a critical juncture in its political history, warning that any attempt to deny the riverine axis a full tenure would erode trust, deepen divisions, and destabilise the fragile balance that has guided governance since the return to democracy in 1999.
The group noted that although unwritten, the practice of rotating political power between upland and riverine communities has served as a stabilising mechanism, fostering inclusion and reinforcing a sense of belonging among the state’s diverse population.
According to REG, this “moral covenant” has been instrumental in sustaining political harmony, assuring all sections of the state that leadership is a shared responsibility rather than the preserve of a few.
However, the group recalled that the balance was disrupted following the tenure of former governor Peter Odili in 2007, after which power remained in the upland for 16 uninterrupted years under successive administrations.
During that period, it said, stakeholders from riverine communities consistently agitated for fairness and a return to the rotational arrangement.
REG described the emergence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2023 as a “long-overdue correction,” noting that it restored confidence in the principle of equity and reaffirmed the collective commitment to inclusive governance.
But it expressed concern over reports suggesting moves to truncate what it considers the rightful eight-year tenure of the riverine region.
“Such actions, if allowed to prevail, would undermine the very foundation of fairness upon which our state’s political stability rests,” the statement said.
The group insisted that equity, justice, and fairness must not be sacrificed for political expediency, stressing that denying the riverine axis a complete tenure after years of waiting would perpetuate exclusion and grievance.
“It would send a dangerous signal that agreements, even moral ones, can be disregarded when convenient. Such a path does not lead to peace; it leads to division,” it added.
REG therefore called on political actors, elders, and opinion leaders within and outside the state to place collective interest above partisan considerations and uphold the principles that have sustained the state’s political structure.
It emphasised that the strength of democracy lies not only in periodic elections but also in adherence to the norms and understandings that ensure inclusiveness and fairness.
The group urged all stakeholders to allow the riverine region to complete its tenure, insisting that doing so would reinforce unity, stability, and long-term prosperity in Rivers State.
