Rivers Ijaw Grateful to Wike for Producing Fubara as Successor
…Declares Support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
From ERIC MOORE, Port Harcourt
Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress Forum (RIPCF) has declared its indebtedness to the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for breaking the jink by choosing an Ijaw son as his successor in the person of Siminalayi Fubara, after 24 years of neglect.
The Forum has reiterated that the Ijaw ethnic nationality are not ungrateful people, declaring that they are grateful to the Minister of FCT, Wike, for championing and supporting the emergence of an Ijaw son as Governor of Rivers State.
In a nine-point communique read before journalists by Senator George Sekibo, in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, the Forum said it was regrettable that the current political crisis in Rivers State has been given ethnic coloration.
Sekibo read: “We, the Chiefs, Elders, Women, Opinion Leaders and Youths of the Ijaw peoples of Rivers State hereby issue this communique in clarification of the pervasive false narrative that has dominated the conventional and social media concerning the 2023 governorship election in Rivers State which has produced an Ijaw son, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as the governor of Rivers State.
“Historically, since 1999, this is the first time in the past 24 years, in which there was a political shift to the Ijaws of Rivers State. This momentous political development was undeniably due to the sponsorship and support of His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the immediate, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and current Honourable Minister of tue Federal Capital Territory.
“As Ijaw people, we are eternally grateful to His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GRSSR, for championing and supporting the emergence of an Ijaw son, as the Governor of Rivers State.”
The Forum regretted: “We are, however, saddened and embarrassed by the infusion of false narrative of ethnic coloration into issues of disagreement between the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GRSSR and his benefactor, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, CON, and in which the governor appears to weep Ijaw ethnic sentiment, as though there is a raging war and acrimony between Ijaw ethnic nationality and Hon. Minister of Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
“A critical stakeholders in the unity, peace and development of the Rivers Ijaw People and indeed, our dear State, we make the following points to articulate our position on the raging controversy in our extraordinary meeting held on Saturday, June 1, 2024.”
According to the Forum, “over the centuries, the Ijaw people have been historically known for their gratitude to their benefactors, and this has not changed even in the present circumstances.
“That considering the multi-ethnic configuration of Rivers State, the Ijaws see collaboration in politics, economy, culture and social relationships with other ethnic groups as sacrosanct and as a tool that oils the wheel of growth and development in Rivers State.”
The Forum acknowledged the political dissension in Rivers State and how some prominent Ijaw personalities have been made to join innocently to fuel the disagreement not minding the boomerang effect of their actions on their children.
The Forum, therefore, called on Ijaw leaders in Rivers State and their neighbouring States to sustain the peaceful disposition of Ijaw ethnic nationality.
Also, the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress noted Wike’s non-discriminatory and inclusive leadership style as FCT Minister, and live for Ijaw people which us reflected in the appointments of their illustrious sons and daughters at the Federal level.
The appointees included: Boma Iyaye, Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Rufus Godwins, Federal Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission; Dakorinama George-Kelly Alabo, Director-General, Border Communities Development Agency; Maureen Tamuno, Managing Director, Abuja Investment Company and Professor Henry Ogiri, Commissioner, National Population Commission.
According to the Forum, the wrong notion that Ijaw people are in disagreement with other tribes or persons over the current political crisis in Rivers State poses a significant danger to Ijaw ethnic nationality.
“We, therefore, condemn all acts and utterance that are inimical to fostering unity among the Ijaw people and between Ijaws and other ethnic groups in Rivers State.”
The people commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in the political impasse, saying that demonstrated care and love for Rivers people, and declared their support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also, the Forum thanked former President Goodluck Jonathan, for his recent demonstration of statesmanship by calling on the parties involved in the political crisis in Rivers to embrace peace.
“It is worthy of note that as a group, we are not against an Ijaw son as Governor of Rivers State, as we were at the forefront of the clamour for an Ijaw son or daughter as Governor of Rivers State. We worked assiduously and committed our time and resources to see the emergence of our son and brother, the current Governor of our State.
“That as a people, we continue to demonstrate our love and support for His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, whom we have always seen as our son, brother, leader, friend and lover of the Ijaw nation.
“That while we hope for peace and progress, all Ijaws must be circumspect in our utterances and actions and must not place greed and personal interests ahead of the collective interest and well-being of the Ijaw nation.
“In conclusion, therefore, we reiterate our commitment to the unity of our State and of our brotherhood with all other ethnic nationalities and foreigners in our dear State; and our unalloyed support for the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for his visionary, patriotic, inclusive and exemplary leadership which has repositioned our State at the centre stage of national affairs and development.”
Ends.