Niger Delta Leaders Demand Justice, Call for Wike’s Suspension Over Rivers Crisis
Leaders and Stakeholders of the Niger Delta region have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to desist from selective justice in handling the issues of the region particularly in Rivers State.
They made the call during a Congress for Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities in collaboration with the Western Zone, Ijaw nation held in Bomadi local government area of Delta State
The Congress with focus on Inter Ethnic Cooperation and Harmony in the Niger Delta also called for the suspension of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike over the political crisis in Rivers State as well as his derogatory statements about the Ijaw nation.
In a key note address, President, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba noted that the president should beware of the consequences of favouritism on the peace and stability of the nation.
“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”
Professor Okaba also noted 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.
He expressed appreciation to all the leaders of the various ethnic nationalities present at the event while also urging the Ijaw 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 Siminalayi Fubara.
Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Comrade Berefa Bedford pointed out that the suspension of the elected governor of Rivers State could result to an explosive political situation that would threaten the peaceful coexistence of all ethnic groups in the state.
Comrade Berefa called on President Tinubu to take urgent measures to solve the crisis for the stability of the region.
President of the Urhobo Progress Union, Comrade Blessed Ughere stated that the Ijaw nation is an integral part of the country that has played a crucial role in the development of the nation hence they should respected and treated fairly like every other ethnic group in the country.
In his welcome address, 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.
The Congress had in attendance various stakeholders, leaders and people from various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.
