… Urges Tinubu to ‘Caution Wike’
By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Socio-cultural group, the Ijaw Nation Development Group (INDG) otherwise known as the Ijaw People’s Assembly, has slammed former Governor Nyesom Wike over “his recent inflammatory remarks and open disregard to the authority of the sitting governor of Rivers State.”
According to the INDG, “Ijaw patriots played a pivotal role in the creation of Rivers State, and we will not allow our contributions and sacrifices to be dismissed or disrespected and It is particularly disheartening that Mr. Wike, who rose to power through the benevolence and support of the Ijaw people, has chosen to cast aspersions upon them.
The group, in a statement issued at the weekend and signed by the Chairman; BOT, Dennis Banigo and the President; EMC, Prof Prosper Ayawei, declared that the “Ijaw stands united against the disrespect and provocation and unequivocally condemns the recent inflammatory remarks made by former Governor Nyesom Wike, which not only desecrate the dignity of the Ijaw Nation but also undermine the authority of the sitting governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara.”
According to the group, “The Ijaw people, as the largest ethnic group in Rivers State with the highest number of local government areas, cannot and will not be relegated to the background or regarded as a minority. It is a historical fact that Ijaw Patriots played a pivotal role in the creation of Rivers State, and we will not allow our contributions and sacrifices to be dismissed or disrespected.
“It is particularly disheartening that Mr. Wike, who rose to power through the benevolence and support of the Ijaw people, has chosen to cast aspersions upon the very community that stood by him. Such actions are not only ungrateful but also divisive and unbecoming of a leader who once held the highest office in the state.
“We issue a strong warning to Mr. Wike to cease and desist from further careless altercations and inflammatory comments that have the potential to incite tribal conflict and disrupt the peace and harmony of Rivers State. The Ijaw Nation will not tolerate any attempt to sow discord or destabilize Rivers State.
“Furthermore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and caution Mr. Wike against actions and rhetoric that could spark communal and political unrest capable of threatening the survival of Nigeria’s nascent democracy and economic prosperity. Leadership demands responsibility, and it is imperative that all public figures act with the utmost decorum and respect for the unity of our nation.
“The Ijaw Nation Development Group (INDG/IPA) remains steadfast in our commitment to fostering unity, promoting development, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of our people. We will continue to work tirelessly with the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other well-meaning people and organizations to ensure that the Ijaw Nation and Rivers State thrive in peace, harmony, and prosperity.”
