An Ijaw Group known as The Ijaw National Congress warns against any attempt to impeach Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing potential unrest in the Niger Delta. Read the full report on the political crisis and its implications.

The Ijaw Group Seeks to Defend Governor Fubara “With Every Pint of Blood in Their Veins”

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has issued a stern warning against any move to impeach Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stressing that such an action could destabilize the Niger Delta region. The warning follows last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which upheld the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the authentic members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Ijaw Group President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, made this known in a statement released on Monday evening, where he condemned the Supreme Court verdict, arguing that it disregarded the historical and political contributions of the Ijaw people to Rivers State’s governance and could lead to a crisis in the oil-rich region.

Prof. Okaba criticized the apex court’s ruling, stating that it failed to recognize the sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in shaping the leadership of Rivers State over the years. He noted that the decision undermines the political aspirations of the Ijaw ethnic group, which has long struggled for equitable representation.

According to him, the Ijaw people have played a pivotal role in determining the leadership of Rivers State for decades. He recalled that in 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshall Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for Dr. Peter Odili, despite stiff opposition from Sergeant Awuse.

Okaba further highlighted that in 2003, the Ijaw nation suffered a great loss when Marshall Harry was assassinated while supporting Sergeant Awuse’s gubernatorial ambition. Additionally, in 2007, key Ijaw leaders, including Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo, played significant roles in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia.

The INC President lamented the consistent marginalization of the Ijaw people in Rivers State politics despite their historical contributions. He pointed out that in 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike was nominated as a Minister instead of Pastor Tonye Cole, who was initially favored by then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

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He described it as a betrayal that the political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group is now allegedly working to frustrate Governor Fubara, the first riverine governor in decades. Prof. Okaba declared that the Ijaw nation is ready to defend Fubara’s administration “with every pint of blood in their veins.”

Prof. Okaba emphasized that the Ijaw people will not stand idly by and watch their long-awaited leadership be truncated. He warned that while the INC has always championed peace in the Niger Delta, leading to increased oil production and national revenue, the same resources generated from the region are now being used to marginalize its people.

The Ijaw Group President highlighted that this marginalization is not unique to Rivers State but extends to other states like Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom, where the Ijaw ethnic group continues to face political exclusion.

In a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Okaba urged the federal government to intervene, stating that the ongoing Rivers State political crisis should not be treated as mere politics. He warned that the Ijaw people, numbering over 40 million globally, will not tolerate any attempt to undermine their influence in Nigerian politics.

The Group urged Governor Fubara to remain a law-abiding citizen and work in harmony with all duly constituted arms of government. However, it warned that any attempt to remove Fubara from office—whether by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or any other entity—could have serious consequences.

“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Okaba cautioned, hinting at potential disruptions in the region’s petroleum industry.