Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has described the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State following the end of the six-month state of emergency as a welcome development, but one that underscores what he called a “constitutional breach that should not have happened.”
In a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, Obi said the decision to suspend democratic structures in the state had left “a sour side of our democracy” and would continue to hurt the system for years to come.
“The restoration of democracy in Rivers State after six months of needless disruption remains a sour side of our democracy today,” Obi said. “It was a constitutional breach that will hurt our democracy for a long time. I just hope that some lessons were learned by all the gladiators in the Rivers State impasse. Great minds remind us that, ‘The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.’”
Obi stressed that true leadership lay in admitting mistakes and taking corrective action.
“A true leader is the one who admits his/her mistakes, is smart enough to learn from them, and is strong enough to correct them,” he noted.
He congratulated the people of Rivers State for their patience and resilience throughout the political crisis.
“I would like to congratulate the good people of Rivers State for their endurance in the face of provocations,” Obi said.
The former Anambra governor also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara, members of the state House of Assembly, and other political actors in Rivers State to prioritize peace and unity as governance resumes.
“I appeal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the members of the State House of Assembly and all the political leaders in the state to embrace peace and forge ahead,” he stated.
Reiterating his message of hope, Obi concluded:
“The real mistake is the one where we end up learning nothing. Be assured that a new Nigeria is POssible and inevitable.”
