As the political tussle in Rivers State continues to generate palpable tension across the state, an elder statesman, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro, has urged all elders in the state to join hands with him to ensure that the political crisis does not get out of hand.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Okiro called on the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to sheath the sword and allow dialogue to take place, through which all the contentious issues could be addressed.

Okiro equally pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to squeeze out time from his tight schedule and invite both parties for an amicable settlement of their acrimony.

He cautioned all the political leadership not to forget that the State is the major source of revenue of the Federation Account, as any break down of law and order in Rivers State will have a catastrophic effect on the nation?s economy, hence all hands must be on deck to ensure lasting peace is restored in Rivers State, as soon as possible.

Okiro urged all the stakeholders to recognize that in a democracy, the rules of Courts of competent jurisdiction must be respected, but as well, said that in a situation where the contentious issues are over heating the polity towards total anarchy, it behooves elders to be proactive and nip such in the bud before things get messier and haywire.

Okiro said that the rulings of the Supreme Court have cleared the air on how peace can be restored, so there is need to wade in and discuss with both parties involved in order to broker a truce in the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.

He said that at this juncture, it calls for the intervention of all true lovers of Rivers State to brace up as it is not the exclusive matter for the politicians alone to handle, but to ensure that peace does not elude Rivers State.

Okiro assured Rivers people that he will take it upon himself to quickly meet with each group with a view to ensuring that a truce is attained and mutual understanding is reached to enthrone lasting peace in the state.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exertions from the inception of hostilities but further pleaded with Mr President to as the father of the Nation, spare time to once more call the parties for an amicable settlement in the interest of the good people of Rivers State and Nigerians at large.

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