Ijaw Women Protest, Block Road To Stop Wike Reception In Rivers

Angered by what they referred to as Nyesom Wike’s disparaging comments on the Ijaw, women from the ethnic group on Saturday blocked the road in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State to stop the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), from attending a reception in his honour.

Wike was expected to visit the area today as a show of force in the face of hostilities from various ethnic groups following his stance on the state governor, Sim Fubara.

Following the governor’s statewide support, Wike has frowned at the development, especially since he just left office, condemning the people, especially the Ijaw, where Fubara comes from.

His latest attack on the group where he referred to them as a “minority of minorities in Rivers and other south-south states except Bayelsa,” has led to anger and general condemnation where he has been termed a persona non grata, a Latin phrase for an “unwelcome person’.

Reports monitored by THE WHISTLER showed the women showing solidarity with the Ijaw people following the comment as they blocked the only access road Wike was expected to pass to the reception centre.

The latest protest followed Friday’s appeal by the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order over his comments on the Ijaw.

The INC assures in the letter, “We will maintain peace and stability as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.”

The INC further assumes it “remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

“We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”

The traditional council of the Abalama community, where Wike was expected to be honoured also wrote the police authority notifying it Wike was not welcome in the community.

The women upped the anger on Saturday, carrying various placards and chanting solidarity songs as they denounced Wike’s “demeaning” comments.

Billboards welcoming Wike to the community were also destroyed.

Ijaw Women Protest, Block Road To Stop Wike Reception In Rivers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper