The Coalition of Concerned Ijaw Stakeholders has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a direct attack on the Ijaw people and an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, in Abuja, the group’s convener, Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone, President of ijaw women connect worldwide alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu collaboration with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, was using state security forces against Governor Siminalayi Fubara to force his defection and turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
Expressing outrage over the unfolding events, she stated, “This is a coup plotted against the region, and our elders were innocently ambushed and fell into that trap. The President charged our elders to go back and make peace with Wike and his godson, who happens to be our own son an Ijaw son ruling as the governor of Rivers State for the first time after 24 years of democracy in the state.”
She also questioned the suspicious timing of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s media chat, which took place just a day after the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum,PANDEF, visited President Tinubu.
“Why didn’t Wike’s media chat come earlier? Why wait until PANDEF met with Mr. President? It was an orchestrated plan to rubbish the Niger Delta leaders and then seal that with a press chat.”
Mrs John-Oduone condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an unconstitutional move designed to paralyze state structures and shift blame onto Governor Fubara while allowing Wike to operate freely.
“This state of emergency declared in Rivers State is a state of emergency declared against the Ijaw nation. It is unconstitutional. It is a rape of our democracy. We call on Mr. President to review his actions against the Ijaw people because an injury to one is an injury to all.”
She also accused Wike of orchestrating past crises in the Niger Delta, referencing his recent comments about pipeline vandalism.
“The Ijaw people have always borne the brunt of every crisis in the Niger Delta. When oil pipelines were blown up, did it happen in Ijaw territory? Who blew them up?
I tell you for free quote me it was Wike. It was pre-planned and orchestrated.”
Expressing the gravity of the situation, John-Oduone pointed out that the Ijaw people are being politically sidelined despite their significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
“The Ijaw people cannot continue to be the ones laying the golden eggs while being sidelined from governance. Fubara’s first allocation was seized who dared them? Who dared Wike? How big is Wike? Who made Wike? It was the Ijaw man who made Wike, yet today, he has no respect for the people who helped him rise to power.”
She also rejected the idea of an outsider ruling Rivers State, saying:
“Bringing an Akwa Ibom man to govern Rivers State will not work. It will not work. They may not touch me, but it will not work.”
Also Speaking,Chairman Ijaw Youth Council Abuja cum Northern Nigeria Chapter, Emmanuel Deinma, reiterated the community’s resolve, warning that if the President does not change his approach, the Ijaw people will reassess their political alliances.
“If the President refuses to act, of course, we are Ijaws, and nobody can take our identity from us. Asawana! This chant cannot be taken away from us—it is embedded in us.”
“We will keep raising our voices if the President refuses to listen. We will keep chanting Asawana like the likes of Wike and his co-travelers do not want to hear. We will not stop.”
“This is all politically motivated, and if Mr. President refuses to maintain a cordial relationship with the Ijaw Nation, we will have no option but to redefine our position. The new political era will determine where we stand. When the time comes, our leaders across the Ijaw Nation will speak on our new direction.”
Deinma made it clear that the Ijaw people’s continued support for President Tinubu depends on his decisions.
“If the President, our father, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu chooses to trade the love, affection, and loyalty the Ijaw Nation has shown him for Wike, then we will know what to do when the time comes.”
On his part President, Wakirike Bise, Tamunokuro Obetonbara, said, “the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is an attack on all Ijaw people, and we call for peace.”
Also that the President has no constitutional right to remove a duly elected governor, as seen during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration when governors were not removed despite a state of emergency in conflict zones.
“Mr. President’s decision violates the Constitution he swore to protect. We urge him to rescind it and allow Rivers State to have a stable and functioning government, ” he said.
The groups in attendance were the Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Opinion Leaders Association (ITOLA), Kalabari Kobiri, Bonny Community, INC Abuja Chapter, IWC Abuja Chapter, IYC Abuja Chapter, President General ND-PYLF, Delta Ijaw Community, Arogbo Ebe Community, Opobo Community, Andoni Community, Wakirike Community, NAIFS Alumni, Niger Activist Forum, and Ijaw Community, Abuja.
