Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a truce between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Jonathan made the plea during the flag-off of the Trans-Kalabari road in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers on Monday, May 20.

The ex-president stressed the feud between both parties is not beneficial to the state calling on the duo to “cease fire” and work together for the success of the state. He added that Rivers is the “heart” of the Niger Delta region.

“The political tension in the state is becoming so much,” Jonathan said.

“In this state, Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara must work together for the development of the land and the people of Rivers state.

“The tension will not help us. Rivers state is very critical in this country. It is the heart of the Niger Delta.

“If Rivers state is destabilised, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilised.

“There is a common saying that when two elephants are fighting, the grass suffers. Both the governor and our ministers are young people and powerful.

“If they continue to fight, the Rivers people will suffer. We are calling them to embrace themselves.”

Fubara and Wike have had a stand-off since 2023 over the political control of the state.

The rift has led to the polarisation of the Rivers state house of assembly.

The commissioners loyal to Wike have resigned from Fubara’s cabinet.