State of Emergency: Ijaw, N’Delta leaders call on Tinubu to dismiss FCT Minister Wike, Demand for peace in Rivers State 

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Aggrieved representatives of the Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities have gathered in the ancient Bomadi community in Delta State to X-ray the state of affairs of the Ijaw Nation vis-a-vis the present happenings in Rivers State on Tuesday.

The angry protesting Ijaw and Niger Delta leaders and stakeholders who converged in Bomadi on Tuesday demanded for the immediate suspension and sack of the Minister Nyesom Wike from the Federal Executive Council.

The aggrieved Niger Delta leaders and stakeholders strongly condemned the unguarded utterances and actions of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who had been insulting and making derogatory statements against the Ijaw Nation, particularly the revered leader, late Papa Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON, OFR, citing that Mr Wike’s comments are not only unacceptable but also a clear attempt to falsify well established facts and history and also undermined the contributions of the Ijaw people to the development and politics of Rivers State.

In a statement jointly signed by Hendrick Opukeme,

Chief Dan Ekpebide, Kennedy Orubebe, Bunor Agbomudarho, Felix Tuodolor, Ari Sylvester Ari and

Loveth Timothy said Wike’s statements were capable of stoking ethnic crisis in the Niger Delta, adding that such moves should be resisted in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts in the region.

According to the statement, Chief Nyesom Wike actions were most embarrassing antagonist in the Rivers State conflict, stressing that his continued stay in office is a national embarrassment.

The leaders and stakeholders pointed out that Wike’s actions had brought shame and disrepute to the nation, and his presence in the Federal Executive Council undermined the integrity of President Tinubu’s government.

The Niger Leaders urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the embarrasing situation in Rivers State and restore peace, stability, and good governance to the Niger Delta region.

Read the full text:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ONE-DAY IJAW NATIONAL SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME

We, the representatives of the Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, gathered in the ancient community of Bomadi in Delta state to X-ray the state of affairs of the Ijaw Nation vis-a-vis the present happenings in Rivers State.

Attendance:

In attendance were representatives of the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), representatives of the Zonal Executive Committees of the INC and IYC, the Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA),

Meinbutu Federated Communities,

Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationalities (MOSIEND), first class Ijaw traditional rulers from Delta State, indigenous Delta Ijaw communities from Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri South West and Warri North LGAs.

Also in attendance to solidarity with the Ijaws were representatives of the youth wings of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Ndokwa Neku Union and the

Ogbaku-Etche Delta State Branch.

REAFFIRMATION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE STRUGGLES OF THE NIGER DELTA PEOPLE

We want to reaffirm our commitment to the struggle for justice, equality, and self-determination by our forebears. This is because our estate has not changed as the Ijaws are still politically and economically marginalised and balkanised. It is in this light, we stand united in condemning the excesses of the Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesome Wike and the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The contributions of the Ijaw Nation to the Creation of Rivers State

We are proud of the pivotal role played by our forebears in the creation of Rivers State. The Ijaws of Rivers State have been instrumental in shaping the state’s history, from the early struggles for autonomy to the present day. We honor the memory of late Pere Harold Dappa-Biriye, who led a delegation of Ijaws to the Lancaster House in 1957 to advocate for the creation of Rivers State. We also acknowledge the role played by the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro whose twelve days revolution led to the creation of Rivers State.

MINISTER NYESOME SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

We strongly condemn the unguarded utterances and actions of Minister Nyesome Wike, which have been insulting and derogatory towards the Ijaw Nation, particularly our revered leader, Papa Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, CON, OFR. Chief Wike’s comments are not only unacceptable but also a clear attempt to falsify well established facts and history, and also undermine the contributions of the Ijaw people to the development and politics of Rivers State. His statements are also capable of stoking ethnic crises in the Niger Delta. This must be resisted.

In order to avoid such conflicts, we are demanding for the immediate suspension of Minister Nyesome Wike from the Federal Executive Council.

Chief Nyesome Wike is the most embarrassing antagonist in the Rivers State conflict, and his continued stay in office is a national embarrassment. His actions have brought shame and disrepute to the nation, and his presence in the Federal Executive Council undermines the integrity of President Tinubu’s government. We urge President Tinubu to take immediate action to address this situation and restore peace, stability, and good governance to the Niger Delta region.

EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS STATE

It is sad that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State citing few breaches in security. There are worst happenings in other parts of Nigeria where herdsmen, bandits, unknown gunmen have been killing and kidnapping hundreds of persons and are even ruling entire local governments yet no state of emergency has been declared. Therefore we reject the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which suspends the democratic institutions, the Governor, and the Legislative organs of government. This move is a clear violation of the principles of democracy and good governance. It also appears bias as Chief Wike who is a provocateur of the Rivers State crises is still in office as a minister. We therefore demand an immediate reversal of this decision and a return to democratic rule in Rivers State.

CONCLUSIONS

We, the Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, will continue to stand united in our pursuit of justice, equality, and self-determination. We will not be intimidated, we will not be silenced, and we will not be deterred from our struggle. We demand an end to the systemic injustices that have held us captive for centuries and a recognition of our rights to self-determination, to control our resources, and to shape our destiny.

Long live the Ijaw Nation!

Long live Papa Chief Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark! Long live our struggle for freedom, justice, and self-determination.

Signed:

Hendrick Opukeme

Chief Dan Ekpebide

Kennedy Orubebe.

Bun or Agbomudarho

Felix Tuodolor

Ari Sylvester Ari

Loveth Timothy