Following a perceived posture of the Presidency on reasons for the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, leaders and Stakeholders of the Niger Delta region have called on President Bola Tinubu to put away biases in handling Rivers political issues.
The leaders urged the President to desist from selective justice in handling the issues of the region particularly in Rivers State.
They made the call during the Congress for Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, which brought together stakeholders, leaders, and representatives from various ethnic groups in the Niger Delta.
The call, they said, was necessitated by recent comments by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and Special Adviser to the President on Media Bayo Onanuga, suggesting that the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was to be blamed for the political crisis in the state.
The Congress with focus on Inter Ethnic Cooperation and Harmony in the Niger Delta also called for the suspension of the Federal Capital Territory, Minister, Nyesom Wike over the political crisis in Rivers State as well as his derogatory statements about the Ijaw nation.
In a keynote address, President, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba called on the president should beware of the consequences of favouritism on the peace and stability of the nation.
He said: “We have been degraded, exploited, dehumanized severally, it goes beyond individual statements, this fight is not about Ijaw and Ikwerre, it is a class struggle where the bourgeoisie wants to acquire power at all costs”
Prof Okaba also warned that strategic actions would be taken decisively to ensure that the Ijaw nation is given its dignity as the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the country.
While appreciating all the leaders of the various ethnic nationalities present at the event, Okaba also urged the Niger Delta people to support their leaders.
Also speaking, Pioneer President, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Worldwide, Dr Felix Tuodolo emphasized the need to have an Ijaw agenda to address marginalization and resource control.
“We have been so quiet in the Ijaw nation. This rally is a clarion call for Ijaw people to take back their place in the scheme of things, we need to get an Ijaw agenda and also a Niger Delta agenda”
Dr Tuodolo urged President Tinubu to put away all biases in handling the Rivers State political issues between Nyesom Wike and the suspended Governor Fubara.
Also, Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Comrade Berefa Bedford noted that the suspension of the elected governor of Rivers could lead to a volatile political situation, threatening peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups.
Bedford urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action to resolve the crisis and ensure stability in the region.
President of the Urhobo Progress Union, Comrade Blessed Ughere stated that the Niger Delta region is an integral part of the country that has played a crucial role in the development of the nation hence they should be respected and treated fairly like every other ethnic group in the country.
Also, the Convener of the Congress for Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, Comrade Hendrick Opukeme said the essence of the Congress was to proclaim unwavering commitment to the struggle for the rights and dignity of the Ijaw people
