Nigeria, Feb. 14 -- Peace in politics is often announced with ceremony, affirmed with warm handshakes, and applauded with hopeful headlines. But in Rivers State, the language of reconciliation has become so familiar that it now competes with skepticism for public attention. The latest peace understanding between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor Nyesom Wike, reached under the mediation of President Bola Tinubu, has again been presented as a turning point. Riverians have every reason to hope it is. They also have every reason to question it.

The central concern is not whether peace has been declared. Peace has been declared before. The concern is whether this peace is built on durable commitment or t...