A socio-political group, the Ijaw Diaspora Council, has called for peace in the seeming political faceoff between Governor Siminalayi Fabura of Rivers State and a former governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
This was as the group urged Rivers residents to support Governor Fabura in his efforts at transforming the state, saying it was in their own interest to do so.
The IDC stated this in an open letter to Citizens and Stakeholders of the state.
The letter, which was signed by its Chairperson, Hon. Gesiere Brisibe-Dorgu; President, Prof. Mondy Gold; Secretary General, Dr. Edward Agbai; and Head Legal Affairs and Vice-President, Barr Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart; was issued on Saturday.
The group noted with displeasure the intermittent and usual political imbroglio among past and currently leaders of the state, adding the ugly trend had negatively affected the development of the Ijaw Nation.
According to the group, “What is happening in Rivers State could best be described as a diversion of attention to continue the unabated looting of our nature endowed natural resources carted away in billions of dollars. The Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC) reiterate the calls of the people of Rivers State that Governor Sim Fubara must be allowed in peace to run the affairs of the State as the people’s governor with his mandates and powers provided under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an elected and sworn-in Governor of Rivers State.
“The Ijaw Diaspora Council is comprised of concerned citizens and stakeholders who profoundly care about Rivers State, the Niger Delta Region, and the well-being of our nation. Recent events have shown a growing divide within our political landscape, and it is with heavy hearts that we witness the animosity and discord, reminiscent of historical parallels, that has emerged.
“The Ijaw Diaspora Council after conducting thorough research into the recurring challenges faced by Rivers State whenever two of our sons assume significant political positions, one at the federal level and the other as the State Governor. Our findings reveal that this situation has often led to losses for both the Rivers State and the broader Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, resulting in discord and its associated repercussions.
“Unfortunately, these ongoing tensions have been exploited by the Nigerian Beneficial Oligarchy (NBO) for their gain. The NBO has taken advantage of the discord in the Niger Delta, benefiting from the allocation of oil and gas wells, among other valuable resources, worth billions of dollars. Some of these assets include OML 108, OML 110, OML 112, OML 117, OML 115, OML 215, OML 216, OPL 245, OPL 246, and many more.
“All these resources among many others are the resources of the Ijaw and the Niger Delta, yet none of these wells and its billions of dollars belong to any Rivers State man or woman, IDC categorically states that attention of stakeholders should focus on those and bring justice to the Niger Delta than pursue instability in the governance of our able Governor, His Excellency Sim Fubara. Importantly the Court has intervened, and we want everyone to abide by the rule of law and support unfettered the mandate of the people of Rivers State.
“It is a well-documented fact that the riverine areas of Rivers State have borne the brunt of ecological disasters, with devastating consequences for our environment and the livelihoods of our people. This suffering has been ongoing for far too long, and it is high time we addressed this issue. If we were to calculate the period from General Buhari’s military rule until the present day and consider what would have been possible if the resources of Rivers State had been shared fairly with the people, we can envision a different reality. Our state could have become a paradise on earth, marked by extensive industrial development, working refineries, and power stations that would benefit every resident.”
The IDC said it was imperative for the leaders of the Ijaw Nation to unite in order to mobilise the necessary human and material resources needed for the development of the Niger Delta region.
It added, “It is pertinent to remind our people of River State, that the Nigerian Beneficial Oligarchy (NBO) sponsored chaos and benefited from it. We lost the value of a state governor and a first-time president from the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality. While fighting a false power tussle that has no basis and was not in existence, the time needed for the development of Rivers State (which came to us on a platter of gold), was lost in pride among sons of the Niger Delta whose attention was diverted from the real needs of the people.
“Rivers State lost the full benefit of Federal presence and power of an Ijaw president and the resources open to us went to states of the NBOs. While the NBOs laugh and earn, we fight and lose in resources, lose in unity and opportunity of dual and consolidated developments. This was evident in the so-called power tussle between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Minister Nyesom Wike at the Federal level.
“It is important for us to remember that when Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi assumed a federal ministerial position under President Buhari, we observed a recurring pattern of chaos and discord that ultimately benefited the NBOs. The NBOs have historically taken advantage of political tensions within Rivers State to further their interests at the expense of our people and their development. The clash between Amaechi and Wike, both influential figures in our state, created a turbulent situation that has had detrimental consequences for our state and its residents. It is incumbent upon us to recognize the ongoing cycle of discord and the impact it has on the development and progress of Rivers State.
“Former Governor Wike has made efforts in advancing the development of Rivers State, particularly in the area of infrastructure, which was made possible, in part, by the political structure created during the tenure of the former President, Goodluck Jonathan. He has worked tirelessly to consolidate and enhance the progress made by President, Goodluck Jonathan in the development of roads and various infrastructure projects. These developments have not only improved the lives of our residents but have also contributed to the overall growth of Port Harcourt, the heart of our state, even though there may still be challenges, particularly in the water-side areas of Ijaw towns like Bonny.
“Today we are once again witnessing another sponsored chaos to prevent a Governor from the riverine Rivers State, after over 16 years in the political desert.”
