The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM), a political pressure group has disclosed that Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and his members publicly worked against the candidacy of Governor Fubara Sim of Rivers State in 2023.
According to the group when Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT and former Rivers governor presented Fubara as his successor, he was opposed by Okaba and his members.
The group in a statement signed by its director-general, Johnson Georgewill, and Secretary, Mrs. Sarima Akpata, wondered when INC developed its newfound love for Fubara it earlier described as a fake Ijaw man.
They expressed their concerns about Okaba’s intentions and the INC’s stance on local governance.
The statement read, “Rivers Restoration Movement knows as a fact that the Benjamin Okaba-led INC worked against the emergence of Governor Sim Fubara in 2023 when the political leader of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and his loyal supporters went to great lengths to ensure Fubara’s victory. It raises questions about the INC’s newfound support for a man they previously claimed was not a true Ijaw.”
Furthermore, the RRM found it particularly ironic that the INC would admonish President Bola Tinubu regarding his perceived neutrality and body language in the political affairs of the state. They highlighted that it was the president who played a crucial role in brokering a peace deal among the various parties involved, which was formalised in a signed agreement on December 18, 2023.
“INC was also silent when Gov Sim refused to allow the Rivers State House of Assembly to choose where to sit and perform their legislative duties.
“Prof Benjamin Okaba was silent when Gov Sim refused to re-represent the 2024 budget as agreed in Aso Rock and signed by all parties.
The group, however, slammed Governor Fubara for allegedly failing to adhere to the terms of this agreement, suggesting that he has disobeyed many of the directives put forth by President Tinubu.
“The Governor also refused to adhere to the agreement that LGA structures will not be tampered with and caretaker members will not be formed as agreed but INC didn’t think it wise to release an official press statement then.
“It was on the foundation of all these flagrant disobedience to almost all the agreement reached that the Martins-led Rivers State House of Assembly decided to thread with caution after they withdrew their impeachment notice in line with the peace deal brokered by our father and President, H E. President Bola Tinubu.”
Additionally, RRM pointed out that 90 percent of Ijaw politicians and major stakeholders who worked for the victory of Fubara in 2023 under the leadership of Wike were standing solidly behind the political leadership of the FCT Minister.
