Former caretaker chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chijioke Ihunwo, has declared that there are no winners or losers in the political crisis that engulfed Rivers State, insisting that the renewed alliance between loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is a triumph for peace rather than political conquest.
Speaking on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines on Thursday, Ihunwo, once one of Fubara’s most vocal defenders, explained that his decision to work with the Rainbow Coalition aligned with Wike was in obedience to the governor’s call for reconciliation.
According to him, those who genuinely support Fubara have a duty to embrace the governor’s peace initiative.
“You are aware that my principal is the Governor of Rivers State, and he has said there is peace in Rivers State and that we need to move on as a state. If we truly support him, we should join him in the Rainbow Coalition,” he said.
Ihunwo stressed that his loyalty to Fubara remained unwavering despite the political realignment, maintaining that his actions were guided solely by the governor’s directive.
“We are supporting our governor because we want peace in our state. He is our leader and we are going to follow him wherever he goes,” he said.
Recounting the governor’s appeal to his supporters, Ihunwo added: “He has told us that if you love me genuinely, follow me. So, we are following the governor to where he is going.”
Addressing suggestions that he and other allies misled the governor during the height of the political crisis, Ihunwo dismissed the allegation, saying he had enjoyed a close personal relationship with Fubara long before the crisis.
He recalled mobilising young people for Fubara during the 2023 governorship primary while serving as the state’s youth leader, insisting he remained an influential political figure with a strong grassroots following.
On the outcome of the prolonged political confrontation in Rivers, Ihunwo rejected any notion of victors or vanquished.
“For me, nobody is a loser and nobody is a winner. We are back to where we are because this state belongs to all of us and the governor wants to tow the line of peace,” he said.
Responding to questions over his previous criticism of Wike’s political camp, Ihunwo said political alignments are not static and should be viewed within the context of evolving realities.
“In politics, anything can happen. I have a principal who I am working with. He has said, ‘Let us sheathe our swords and move forward,'” he stated.
He also dismissed calls by the Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council for him to apologise to Wike, Speaker Martin Chinda and members of the State House of Assembly over his role during the crisis, describing the individual making the demand as “an impostor.”
Ihunwo further denied allegations that he and former Chief of Staff Edison Ehie sponsored a parallel youth council during the political impasse.
Asked about allegations that he led supporters to the residence where lawmakers loyal to Wike were meeting, he declined to revisit the incident, saying reopening old wounds would undermine the peace process.
“When we talk about peace, we don’t begin to bring back the past. A lot of things happened during that period, but I have forgotten the past and we are moving forward,” he said.
Despite the controversy surrounding his role in the crisis, Ihunwo said he had no regrets, arguing that his actions were informed by his convictions at the time.
He disclosed that he would now work with Wike’s supporters in Obio/Akpor ahead of the 2027 general elections in line with Fubara’s directive to ensure the success of the Rainbow Coalition.
Reaffirming his loyalty, Ihunwo said he had deliberately avoided pursuing elective office independently to prevent creating fresh political tensions for the governor.
“My loyalty lies with the governor of Rivers State, and I will follow his instructions,” he said.
