A former presidential candidate Peter Obi has said the real losers of the crisis rocking Rivers State are the people.

The state is currently heated up with the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Rivers State House of Assembly battling for control.

The battle has seen a notice of misconduct issued to the governor, which may lead to his impeachment.

In a statement, Obi said it is unfortunate that 60 years after independence and nearly 30 years of "our celebrated unbroken civil rule, our democracy is still marred by undemocratic practices and values."

He lamented that a significant percentage of Nigeria's elections are deeply flawed—manipulated to serve the interests of a select few rather than reflecting the true will of the people.

He said governance at most levels does not reflect the genuine values and aspirations of the people because the welfare of the citizens is often neglected in practice.

"Looking at the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, we see yet another glaring example of how our democracy and government is not serving it's purpose, the welfare of the people of River State. The disagreement is not about improving the measurable indices of development: education, healthcare, or lifting people out of poverty but rather for reasons that do not in any way benefit the people of Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

"I fully understand the impact of what is happening in Rivers State. The real losers are the people—their welfare and the future of the society their children will live in.

"My respectful appeal to all those involved is to reconsider their positions and reflect on the grace God has bestowed upon them as leaders. They must think about the suffering people of Rivers State and work towards a better future for their children.

"My commitment remains to continuously remember them in earnest prayers and to advocate for their well-being. I also appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and the Federal Government, in the spirit of true democracy and good governance, to use their offices to restore normalcy and bring an end to this crisis," he said.

ASA