Ijaw National Congress has warned against any attempt to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
It said such move will be bad for the Niger Delta.
It kicked against Friday’s Supreme Court judgement that confirmed the 27 lawmakers loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike as the authentic members of the State House of Assembly.
The group warned that this will throw the region into crisis.
Professor Benjamin Okaba, INC President, made the statement on Monday. He made his comments available to news men.
Professor Okaba faulted the Supreme Court’s verdict on Rivers State’s political crisis. He said the judgement ignored the Ijaw people’s sacrifices in the governance of Rivers State.
He warned that any move to undermine Governor Fubara’s authority will have national and economic implications.
The Niger Delta is the oil and gas rich area of the country. Historically, Ijaw have been the backbone of state leadership.
For example in 1999, Ijaw leader Chief Marshall Harry got the PDP ticket for Dr Peter Odili despite strong opposition from Sergeant Awuse.
Chief Marshall Harry also ensured Odili’s victory against Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of All Peoples Party.
Professor Okaba recalled that in 2003 when Chief Marshall Harry supported Sergeant Awuse’s governorship bid, it was Harry who was killed, a big loss to Ijaw people.
By 2007, influential Ijaw figures like Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a crucial role in getting Sir Celestine Omehia elected.
During Omehia’s inauguration, it was alleged that Prince Igodo, a prominent Kalabari-Ijaw leader was killed to prevent security breaches.
In 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi wanted to appoint Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Dame Patience Jonathan, the then first lady, stopped him and gave the appointment to Nyesom Wike instead.
Professor Okaba said he was worried that despite these past sacrifices, the Ikwerre political elite are now determined to scuttle the first riverine Governor in decades.
He said Ijaw will defend Governor Fubara with everything in their blood. He warned that any attempt to cut short their long awaited political tenure will be resisted.
He also lamented that resources meant for peace and increased oil production are now being diverted to marginalize the Ijaw.
This political exclusion is not limited to Rivers State alone, it’s in Ondo, Edo, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
Professor Okaba called on President Bola Tinubu to address the crisis now. He said the current crisis in Rivers State should not be treated as politics.
He said over 40 million Ijaw people worldwide will not take lightly any attempt to undermine their political positioning in Nigeria.
While he urged Governor Fubara to work with all constituted authority in the state, Professor Okaba also issued a warning. He said if Governor Fubara’s tenure is cut short by the Martin Amaewhule led assembly or any other group, INC cannot guarantee peace in the Niger Delta or increase in oil production.