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IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC) WORLDWIDE CALLS FOR PEACE AND CAUTION IN RIVERS STATE

The recent political happenings in Rivers State of Nigeria should be of grave concern to all lovers of peace, stability and the consolidation of Nigerian Democracy. Rivers State is of special interest to the Ijaw National Congress (INC) as lots of ljaw people are indigenes of the State.

The INC believes that the issues we are dealing with in Rivers State are far beyond political godfatherism, but that of desperation for State capture by all means and  at all cost. The extent to which some of the dramatis personae are going with their self seeking adventural activities is quite worrisome as it appears that they do not care if democracy is truncated in Nigeria.

Local Government elections are not new in Nigeria. Indeed, it is a constitutional requirement that falls within the legislative purview of the states. Three States in Nigeria, Akwa-Ibom, Benue and Jigawa conducted Local Government elections at the same time as Rivers State. It bears questioning why the elections in Rivers State attracted such desperation and attention to the extent that the Courts and the Nigerian Police became over interested participants in the drama.

The INC could not fathom how a Federal High Court will restrain the Police from performing her constitutional responsibilities. In a shocking twist of the irony and brazenness the Nigerian Police not only obeyed such a jaundiced order, but moved to truncate the elections if not for the vigilance of the State Government, internal state security architecture and the resolve of the citizens of the State to exercise and defend their legitimate rights.

The move by the Nigerian Police to obey the order contained in the Federal Court judgement would have been a direct assault on all known democratic practices. The Congress seriously vies the intent and actions of the Inspector General of Police as underhand and questionable.

Congress frowns at the gunboat politics of the opponents of Governor Fubara, inviting external influences to enforce disorder. It is the opinion of Congress that Rivers State Local Government elections have come and gone and so it is time to now give peace a chance in the State. Since elections are periodic exercises, we advise those that disagrees with Governor Sim Fubara to wait for next elections, demonstrate the civilized spirit of good sportsmanship in the interest of the peace and development of the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

Let everyone be reminded that a similar situation in the defunct South-Western Nigeria between Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola led to the truncating of the Nigeria’s first republic. History could be brutally repeat itself if people refuse to learn. 

While appreciating the resolve and resilience of the peace loving people of Rivers State for standing tall with their masses orientated, Governor alias. “TALK AND DO” at this auspicious INC wishes to congratulate him  and all the newly elected Chairmen and Council members for their well deserved victory. 

Finally, INC calls on President Tinubu to pay close and special attention to what is going on in Rivers State, lest history will find him complicit if the Rivers situation consumes our democracy.


Long Live INC.

Long Live the Ijaw Nation.

Long Live Rivers People.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


Signed:

Prof. Benjamin O. Okaba,

President,

Ijaw National Congress.

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