Don't Frustrate Fubara's Leadership: INC Tell Rivers People.

 

Proffessor Benjamin Okaba the National  President  of Ijaw National Congress (INC) on Wednesday advised Rivers people not  to frustrate the leadership  of    Siminalayi   Fubara, the current Governor of the state declaring that   he is the undisputed Governor of Rivers State.

Speaking  in Yenagoa when a delegation of the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress Forum (RIPCF) led by Alabo George Sekibo visited  him at Ijaw House, Okaba  further  warned that the Rivers political fued will degenerate to a crisis if not properly handled.

Okaba who alluded that Ijaws are divided over the political feud between the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor now Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike however  maintained  that INC was not happy about the lack of oneness between Ijaw people particularly relating to the political crisis in Rivers State.

 

His words "Let's not in any way frustrate Sim Fubara. He is the undisputed Governor of Rivers State.

We must come together because our unity is our strength. I believe we can be strong even in diversity. But let's not fight ourselves.

"While we are calling for peace and appreciating the godfather (Wike) who brought him, the Governor deserves our respect. You have to protect him because he is our son.”

"You are free to be loyal to Wike since he has been good to you. Ijaw people are very grateful people. We have been helped and we are also helping.

Ijaw Nation is grateful to Wike for working for an Ijaw man to lead Rivers State. We don't hate him. 

"This matter is an internal matter that we can settle amicably. For the sake of Ijaw Nation, let us not allow ourselves to be divided. Let's not allow anyone to sow the seed of discord."

"We also recall the efforts of Ijaw people in Wike’s political journey, especially his emergence as Governor. There was a time INC spokesman responded to a Northern group that lambasted Wike. We said we cannot allow people to attack any Niger Delta leader for no just cause while we are here.

 "We will support any group that will benefit Ijaw people. In the same manner, we are going to fight any group that is against the progress of Ijaw Nation. The mandate of INC is to protect the interest of Ijaw people. And it will remain so.” 

Okaba recalled that Wike whom the RIPCF said is an adopted Ijaw son once said “thunder should fire Ijaws but we ignored him because he forgot that Ijaws are the owners of thunder.”

Okaba who said INC exco is not happy that Ijaws in Rivers State are divided also frowned at the divergent opinions being expressed by Ijaw people in public, making unpalatable utterances thanking the  delegation for the visit, which he said suggests that the group wants the feud to be resolved.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the delegation, Alabo George Sekibo, urged INC to remain neutral in the ongoing political feud. 

Sekibo who is the Senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly alleged that Governor Fubara has problems with his political godfather, Wike and has not told Ijaw people the reasons for their feud. 

He therefore called for unity amongst Ijaw people as well as to make strategic efforts to work with other ethnicities in the state

"Ijaws are minorities in Rivers State. We can't win elections on our own. We have to work with other ethnicities in Rivers State,” he said.  

The leader of the delegation however said: "As a group, Sim is our governor. We are not fighting him. But we will keep praying for him for wisdom. We believe he is being distracted.