Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Tensions over the political crisis in Rivers State have heightened as the Ijaw National Congress (INC) strongly condemned the recent Supreme Court ruling on the state, warning that it could trigger widespread instability in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
In a statement released on Monday, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, president of the INC, expressed concern that the judgment overlooked the historical and political contributions of the Ijaw people in Rivers State’s governance. He cautioned that any effort to undermine Governor Siminalayi Fubara could have severe consequences for both national peace and economic stability.
Tracing the political dynamics of the state, the INC emphasized the significant role the Ijaw people have played in shaping Rivers State’s leadership. Okaba recalled key moments, such as in 1999, when Ijaw leader Chief Marshall Harry helped secure the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for Dr. Peter Odili, ensuring his victory against a Kalabari opponent. In 2003, the Ijaw community mourned the assassination of Marshall Harry, despite his backing of Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition.
Further recalling the sacrifices made by Ijaw leaders, Okaba mentioned the pivotal role played by Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo in securing the victory of Sir Celestine Omehia in 2007, and how Ijaw leaders faced violence and loss in the process.
He also noted the political struggle in 2011 when Dame Patience Jonathan ensured Nyesom Wike took the ministerial slot that was initially intended for Pastor Tonye Cole. Despite these contributions, the INC lamented that an Ikwerre political elite is now working to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades, Governor Fubara.
The INC made it clear that the Ijaw people would not allow Fubara’s tenure to be truncated. “We will defend him with every pint of blood in our veins,” Okaba declared.
The INC further warned that the ongoing marginalization of the Ijaw people extends beyond Rivers State, affecting other states in the Niger Delta region, such as Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. This political exclusion has been a persistent issue, and the INC is calling for national attention to protect the Ijaw people’s rightful place in Nigeria’s politics.
In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the INC stressed that the crisis in Rivers State should not be treated as mere politicking. Okaba emphasized that any attempt to undermine the Ijaw people’s position would not be tolerated. He also warned that if Fubara’s tenure is disrupted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly or any other group, the INC could not guarantee the continued peace or stability in the Niger Delta, potentially affecting oil production.
With the INC’s firm stance, tensions in Rivers State are expected to escalate, and national leaders are now urged to act quickly to defuse the political crisis before it spirals out of control. The Ijaw National Congress has drawn a clear line in the sand, warning that further attempts to sideline Governor Fubara could lead to dire consequences.
