A former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr Ken Robinson, has described as, "needless fight" the ongoing political impasse in Rivers State.

He said time had come for genuine people of the state, who are bearing the brunt of the crisis, to reconcile the two warring sides.

Robinson, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, stated that genuine sons and daughters of the state cannot be taking sides in the face-off.

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He said, "In a community plagued by needless partisan discord and where the true essence of friendship, camaraderie, and togetherness has been diminished, bringing people together for a cause like a book launch is not always easy, especially when one chooses principle over patronage and sentimentality.

"I understand certain people on both sides of the political conflict in Rivers State were unhappy with it. Well, that's so unfortunate. But the truth must be said by someone. So, I hereby reiterate: the conflict is entirely needless.

"The fact of the matter is that, for most of its players worldwide, politics is seen as an investment. If they contribute to the success of a system, they expect to benefit from the system.

"But come to think of it, is that not how nature itself operates? If you sow, you shall reap.

The challenge here is that those who did sow are reaping from the "fields" and those who sowed aren't reaping or are denied the benefit of reaping.

"In any fight, whether two elephants, two rats, or an elephant and a rat, the ground suffers damage. The "ground" in this instance is Rivers State, and its people. I suppose it's time for genuine Rivers sons and daughters to say 'enough is enough', and call for an immediate end to the conflict, instead of taking sides for whatever reason.

"Let those concerned do the needful and end this "needless fight".