The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has called on President Bola Tinubu to closely monitor political developments in Rivers State to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order. This plea was made by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the INC President, in a statement released on Monday in Abuja.
The political landscape in Rivers has become increasingly contentious, particularly between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. Okaba expressed concerns that the rising political tension could jeopardize public peace and democracy within the state.
“Rivers is of special interest to the INC as many Ijaw people are indigenes of the state. The issues we are dealing with in Rivers are far beyond political godfatherism; they reflect a desperation for state capture by any means necessary,” he said. He emphasized the alarming extent to which some political figures are engaging in self-serving activities, seemingly indifferent to the consequences for democracy in Nigeria.
Okaba noted that local government elections are a constitutional requirement in Nigeria and highlighted that three other states—Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Jigawa—conducted their local government elections simultaneously with Rivers, but experienced significantly less conflict. He questioned why the elections in Rivers have sparked such desperation and scrutiny, resulting in heightened involvement from the courts and the Nigerian Police.
The INC President expressed bewilderment at a Federal High Court’s decision to restrain the police from fulfilling their constitutional duties. “It is our belief that the Rivers Local Government elections have concluded, and it is now time to prioritize peace in the state. Since elections are periodic exercises, we advise those who disagree with Governor Sim Fubara to await the next elections,” he stated.
Okaba urged all stakeholders to embrace good sportsmanship for the peace and development of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole, warning that a similar political strife in the past had devastating consequences for the country. He concluded by congratulating the newly elected chairmen and council members.