Leaders, stakeholders, and concerned citizens, who attended a town hall meeting organised by News Central in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, have expressed divergent opinions on pressing issues such as suspended leadership, pipeline vandalism, and the broader state crisis.

Dignitaries, elder politicians, civil society representatives and youth organisations could be represented at the forum.

Bright Amewhule, president of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), spoke about how his party provided the platform for Governor Sim Fubara’s rise, after which he deserted the party.

The Rivers State Labour Party chairperson, Hilda Dokubo, alleged godfatherism. She noted that you can’t have a governor and another person in charge.

The Former APC Chairman of Rivers State, Igo Aguma, declared, “Crisis merchants are the biggest beneficiaries and they claim peace”. He enjoined the audience to “let the crisis merchants take a backseat and allow the governor and his predecessor to resolve it amicably”. He argued that the problems of Rivers State were caused by certain elements that did not want the state’s progress, and that the main parties concerned would reach a resolution.

On the question of resolution, the Pan Niger Delta leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, commented that “the problem is simple. Sim and his boss had an issue. They can solve it in a closed room. Elder statesmen should call them together to solve the issue. The state is currently being ruled by someone not from Rivers State. Our economy is suffering today. Let us choose peace. All of us will suffer if there is no peace.”

The Managing Director of News Central, Mr Kayode Akintemi, also addressed the gathering, assuring the audience of News Central’s commitment to giving Rivers State a voice during these challenging times and that News Central will continue to provide a platform for constructive engagement and solution-driven dialogue.