Ijaw group: We’ll defend Fubara with every blood in our veins

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condemned the recent Supreme Court ruling on the political crisis in Rivers State, saying it could lead to widespread instability in the Niger Delta region of the country.

The INC said this in a statement issued by its President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, on Monday, March 3, 2015.

The INC noted that the judgement failed to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in Rivers State’s governance, adding that any attempt to undermine Governor Siminalayi Fubara would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability.

Tracing the roots of political dynamics in Rivers State, the INC stated that the Ijaw people have played a crucial role in shaping the state’s leadership for decades.

It said: “According to Prof. Okaba, in 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshall Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for Dr. Peter Odili, despite a formidable challenge from Sergeant Awuse. Harry further ensured Odili’s victory against a Kalabari opponent, Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party (APP).

“In 2003, the INC recalled that when Marshall Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people.

“By 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches.

“Similarly, in 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of then-President Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead.”

The INC lamented that despite these consistent sacrifices by the Ijaw people, “an Ikwerre political elite now seeks to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades.”

Fubara: I’m not scared of leaving office

The INC further stated that the Ijaw people will defend Governor Fubara “with every pint of blood in their veins”, stressing that they would not stand by and allow their long-awaited tenure to be truncated.

The INC said while it worked tirelessly to preserve peace in the Niger Delta, leading to increased oil production and revenue for the nation, “regrettably, the same resources are now being used to marginaliae the Ijaw people.”

The INC stressed that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State must not be treated as ordinary politicking, saying the Ijaw people would not tolerate any attempt to undermine their place in Nigerian politics.

It, however, enjoined Fubara “to in the spirit of sportsmanship work with all duly constituted arms of government in Rivers State.”

The group added: “If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production – a veiled warning of potential disruptions in the region’s petroleum industry.

“With the INC’s firm stance, tensions in Rivers State are expected to escalate if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the political crisis amicably.

“Stakeholders now look to President Tinubu and other national leaders to navigate the unfolding situation carefully to avoid plunging the oil-rich region into chaos.”

The Star