The Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPC) has declared their support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, thanking him for his role in the emergence of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor of the state.
In a communique read by Senator George Thompson Sekibo at a gathering of thousands of Ijaw natives, the stakeholders acknowledged that Fubara’s victory marked a 24-year end to the non-emergence of an Ijaw governor in the state, throwing their weight behind the FCT Minister.
However, Sekibo, expressed sadness over the infusion of ethnic colouration into the feud between Fubara and Wike, his benefactor, describing it as a false narrative.
He stated that Fubara appeared to to be whipping Ijaw ethnic sentiment as though there was a raging war between Ijaw and Minister Wike
Sekibo said “Over the centuries, the Ijaw people have been historically known for their gratitude to their benefactors and this has not changed even in the present circumstances.
“We are not unaware of the political dissension in Rivers State and how some prominent Ijaw personalities have been made to join innocently to fuel the disagreement not minding the boomerang effect of such actions on the future of our children and generations to come.
We, therefore, call on all well-meaning Ijaw leaders in Rivers State and other neighbouring states as well as in the diaspora to join efforts with the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress as we yearn for a continued and sustained development and growth of Rivers State, the foundation of which was laid by the previous administration.
“It is worthy of of recalling that in his non-discriminatory and inclusive leadership style, the Honourable Minister of Federal Capital Territory has continued to show goodwill and live to the Ijaw nation as reflected in the appointments of illustrious Ijaw sons and daughters into positions of trust at the federal level.
“The wrong notion that Ijaw people are in disagreement with other tribes or persons over the current political impasse poses a significant danger to our Ijaw communities and people particularly regarding peaceful coexistence among themselves and with other tribes and people’s.
“We, therefore, condemn all acts and uterrances that are inimical to fostering unity among the Ijaw people and between Ijaws and other ethnic groups in Rivers State”.
Appreciating the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers political crisis, the stakeholders said: “We sincerely and most humbly acknowledge the intervention of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has shown passion, interest and fatherly care in the affairs of Rivers State.
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“We are indebted to Mr. President and shall continue to support his Renewed Hope Agenda and further assure him of the safety of our national assets within the territory of Rivers State contrary to the reckless utterances of some misguided elements.
“As a group we are not against an Ijaw son as governor of Rivers State as we were at the forefront of the clamour for an Ijaw son or daughter as governor of Rivers state. We worked assiduously and committed our time and resources to see the emergence of our son and brother, the current governor of Rivers.
“As a people we continue to demonstrate our love and support for His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory whom we have always seen as our son, brother, leader, friend and lover of the Ijaw nation.”
The event was attended by prominent leaders, including George Kelly Alabo, Boma Iyayi, Igbani Owaji, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, Prof. Henry Ogiri, Sampson Ngeribara, Major Jack, Amb. Dame Maurine Tamuno, Rufus Godwins, Ojukaiye Flag Amachree, Isobo Jack, Pleasant Briggs, and chairmen of local government areas from various Ijaw councils.
