By Deborah Coker
Abuja, March 19, 2025 The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has urged the people of Rivers particularly those of Ijaw extraction to remain calm and peaceful following the declaration of State of Emergency in the state.
President Bola Tinubu’s declaration on Tuesday, after a protracted political rancour in the state, meant six-month suspension from office for Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, his appointees, deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and the state legislature.
The INC’s reaction to the development was contained in a statement by its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He called on the appropriate authorities to guarantee the protection of Fubara and his family in order not to raise questions about the intent behind his suspension from office.
Okaba alleged that the suspension was hasty and skewed in favour of those opposed to the Fubara’s leadership in the state led by Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.
He said Ijaw people had refrained from being provoked by the opposition’s actions, particularly the recent thanksgiving by Wike at Abalama, an Ijaw community.
‘’The Abalama event was to incite violence and create justification for the declaration of emergency rule, which failed as Ijaw youths heeded the wise council of their elders.
”We said it just yesterday in both print and TV media that the political wahala in Rivers is beyond a battle between Wike and Fubara, but one orchestrated by a bigger political hand, now Nigerians have seen it,’’ he alleged.
Okaba said the political situation in the state was not tense enough to attract the declaration, adding that some states faced more serious security concerns but were yet to suffer same fate as Rivers.
”These are states where frequent violent attacks have led to the deaths of many civilians and military officers by faceless tribal militia and other criminal minded elements.
”Where then is justice in this equation`, he asked.
He said it was not true that the suspended Fubara had not done enough to avert the state of emergency.
“In addition to providing a befitting space for the House of Assembly (after the demolition of the Assembly building) and paying their allowances, Fubara complied with all the terms of agreement reached with Mr President.
”This includes the withdrawal of court cases and reappointment of Wike’s commissioners among others.
“Fubara has also started the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement by sacking the LGA chairmen and putting in place machinery for the conduct of Local Government Elections.
”His attempt to re-present the 2025 Budget was again frustrated by Wike and his legislators who were hell-bent to remove Fubara as governor by any means and at all cost,’’ Okaba said.
He called for a thorough investigation into the recent pipeline bombing incidents in the region which was cited as part of the reasons for the state of emergency.
(NAN)