The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has issued a stern warning against the impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
The group threatened that any attempt to undermine Fubara’s office would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement issued on Monday, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, condemned the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the authentic members of the State House of Assembly.
Okaba described the ruling as a “miscarriage of justice” that failed to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in governing Rivers State.
The INC president emphasized that the Ijaw people have played a crucial role in shaping the state’s leadership for decades, citing examples of Ijaw leaders who have contributed to the state’s development.
He warned that any attempt to truncate Fubara’s tenure would be resisted by the Ijaw people, who would defend their governor “with every pint of blood in their veins.”
Okaba also cautioned that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State must not be treated as ordinary politics.
Stressing that the Ijaw people, numbering over 40 million worldwide, would not tolerate any attempt to undermine their place in Nigerian politics.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis, urging him to ensure that the rights of the Ijaw people are protected.
The INC president further stated that while the group enjoins Governor Fubara to work with all duly constituted arms of government in the state as a law-abiding citizen. It cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production, if Fubara’s tenure is truncated.
The Ijaw people have a long history of political marginalization in Rivers State, despite being the fourth-largest ethnic group in the state. The group has consistently demanded greater representation and inclusion in the state’s governance structure.
The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has significant economic implications for the country.
The state is a major oil-producing state, and any disruption to oil production could have far-reaching consequences for the national economy.
The Ijaw National Congress has warned against the impeachment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the ongoing political crisis in the state. The group has threatened dire consequences for national peace and economic stability if Fubara’s tenure is truncated.
The crisis highlights the need for greater representation and inclusion of marginalized groups in Nigeria’s governance structure.