There are indications that political tensions in Rivers State may ease soon, following assurances from sources close to both the executive and legislative arms of government that the situation is under control.

Checks by The Guardian revealed that the state was calm on Monday, with normal activities observed around the Government House, the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters and other parts of Port Harcourt, contrary to earlier fears of heightened tension.

A member of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s inner caucus told The Guardian that the governor had assured his allies that they no longer need to panic, insisting that “everything is under control.”

Sources attributed the apparent easing of tension to Governor Fubara’s recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu outside the country, as well as sustained interventions by elder statesmen from the Niger Delta region.

Recall that the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) had constituted a seven-man reconciliation committee, chaired by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, to mediate in the Rivers political crisis. The committee was said to have met separately with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Fubara, while the State Assembly, led by the speaker, Martins Amaehula, declined to grant the committee an audience.

Providing insights on the meeting, the Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum and former spokesman of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed that a high-powered delegation comprising senior elders and retired generals from across the federation was assembled to intervene in the crisis.

According to Sara-Igbe, the delegation held consultations with major stakeholders, including Wike and Fubara, but was unable to meet with the Rivers State House of Assembly before leaving the state.

“We met with virtually all critical stakeholders. Unfortunately, the House of Assembly did not grant us an audience before we left. They may be approached again,” he said.

He added that the delegation also met with an elders’ forum loyal to Wike, led by Ferdinand Alabraba; another elders’ group, headed by a former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Gabriel Toby; church-led elders and leaders; and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders.

Sara-Igbe stressed that sustainable peace in Rivers State rests on the roles of three key actors. He identified President Tinubu as central to the process, describing him as “the father of all,” whose decisions, he said, could decisively end the crisis.

He also pointed to national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whom he described as having the capacity to resolve the deep-seated political challenges in the state, while noting that Wike equally has a critical role to play in ensuring a smooth peace process.

The elder cautioned political actors against actions that could escalate tensions, urging strict adherence to the rule of law. He warned that disregard for court orders could worsen the situation and lead to prolonged legal and political confrontations. He cautioned Speaker Amaehula to avoid being desperate in taking over the Brick House.

PANDEF’s National Chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali, had confirmed that the committee was making progress towards finding a lasting solution to the protracted crisis in the oil-rich state.

Igali said the willingness of both political leaders to engage the committee demonstrated their desire for peace, adding that the panel was also consulting other critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers aligned with both camps. “There is no cause for alarm. The process is ongoing, and progress is being made,” he said

Meanwhile, a leadership expert, Professor George Ahunanya, has described the current political developments in Rivers State as a mockery of democratic governance.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Ahunanya argued that the impeachment plot against Governor Fubara was driven by personal interests rather than the public good.

The Rector of the Institute for Research, Leadership and Capacity Development, Port Harcourt, called on the people of Rivers State to resist moves that could drag the state backwards, urging all parties to place the collective interest of the state above partisan considerations.