We Will De- register Any body That Attends Any Nocturnal Meeting Against Us: Benjamin Okaka.

 

The National President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba has warned that any Ijaw man that attends a purported meeting being put together by those he called enemies of Ijaw nation will be de-registered and their names published as enemies of Ijaw nation.

Speaking on Wednesday in Yenagoa during a stakeholders meeting to appraise the happenings in Ijaw nation, Okaba also called on President Tinubu to call Nyesom Wike, the Minister of FCT to order warning that  if The Present decides to choose  Wike over the Ijaw nation, there will be consequences.

He also berated Wike for insulting the Ijaw people maintaining that he has been forgiven but regretted that it was very unfair for a minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria to talk carelessly.

Okaba said:"We have intelligence report of some of them meeting to say that after the death of Pa Clark, every other Ijaw man is cash and carry person. We will make them realize that Pa Clark gave birth to children. 

"That meeting will not hold. Any body that attends that meeting put together by these evil people will be de-registered and we are going to publish their names as enemies of Ijaw nation.

"Although Wike  tried to apologize,  infact he did apologize so we have to forgive him because it is possible that at the particular time he made those statements, he was under the influence of alcohol or some very dirty spirits  overcame him but again the words are out and we felt that a man of such caliber occupying a very sensitive position should not make such statements.

"For us, it is a slap to Ijaw nation. Very demeaning but at the same time, a disgrace to this country.  if a minister doesn't know what to say or other situations have showed that he was very drunk all of that is not good enough but again we consider the outburst of the federal capital Minister as coming because of the support he received from the president.

"We have said that if the President decides to chooses Wike over Ijaw people, there will be consequences. Our commitment to the Nigerian project will not be much as it is because we have received so many injustices in this country right from the  Pre -colonial time and it is increasing day after day.

"We are aware that our brothers are supporting Wike in all of these. That is why we have told the world that Ijaw nation is not at war with any ethnic nationality 

 "If you look at the young men that signed the impeachment notice, the first eleven are Ijaw people. Many highly respected Rivers Ijaw people are backing Wike.

"We are not fighting the Nigerian nation. We are only saying no to injustice perpetrated by a group of persons who are  marshaling an agenda of state capture to capture State resources against 2027.

'That is why across Nigeria, you can see so much support because this injustice to one can be injustice to another the next day. I pity those at the National  Assembly who voted to endorse this suspension. If it takes ten minutes to remove a  governor, then it will take less than two minutes  to remove a National Assembly member. We want these issues to be resolved very quickly and the conditions are very clear, they have not found any reason to suspend Fubara all the allegations against him were false.

"Infact for us that address was written for him by Wike to advance his courses. I think the president   should be regretting why he listened to bad counsel which has actually dented his democratic credentials.

 Having a quick resolution is in the interest of everybody.

"We have been balkanized. it is that criminal balkanization that is causing  all these problems. Ijaw people are provoked by this sensitive statement and we have resolved to take appropriate actions but the appropriate actions will be civil.

 "We are not going into any form of violence because we know that it is possible to attain self determination  without firing a shot." He explained.

He  appreciated Ijaw men and women of good conscience, Niger Deltans, Nigerians and the international community for their unflinching support for justice and equity in the ongoing Rivers political crisis.

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‎Okaba stressed that the position of emergency rule and suspension of any governor by President Tinubu, under whatever guise, constituted a great assault on the principles of justice, democratic governance and the sanctity of the people's mandate.

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He noted that the infractions on rights of the Ijaws in Rivers, who had been denied the governorship position for over 24 years, was not a partisan issue but a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that guides the rights and economy of every Nigerian citizen.

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In her keynote address, rights activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, said the Ijaw nation forefathers like King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, Isaac Adaka Boro and others that fought for the rights of their descendants, foresaw the happenings of today and noted that it was now the responsibility of the people to safeguard and improve on what they hold in their custody. 

Ms. Briggs emphasised that it would be a great disfavour if the current generation of the Ijaw nation does not do better than their forebears.

She commended those that stood with Rivers State since 2023 when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was sworn in, describing it as true Ijaw unity. 

She extolled the qualities of the late Pa Edwin Clark, saying he always led from the front, preempting the oppressors of the Ijaws.

She also appreciated the INC for always standing for truth and justice, adding that any other Ijaw group outside the INC, particularly in Rivers, was only speaking for themselves and not for the Ijaw people.

Speaking earlier,Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, had appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State  and instead set up a committee to reconcile the different parties to the dispute in the state.

Governor Diri, who contended that the Rivers crisis can be resolved through dialogue, also empasised that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to immediately intervene and restore peace and bring the legally constituted government back to office in Rivers.

"Again, l restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers State. l urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office.

“However, let me be unequivocal. The Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

"Today, we must again draw from the fountain of wisdom. It is imperative that we resist being manipulated and refuse to be drawn into a conflict orchestrated by desperate people propagating their agenda. We must approach every situation with discernment, ensuring that our actions align with long-term goals rather than short-term interests.

"Our contributions —political, economic, and environmental — are undeniable. We should continue to advocate for justice, fairness, and inclusivity within a united Nigeria. I urge all Ijaws, especially our vibrant youths, to exercise restraint, maintain peace, and steer clear of actions that could escalate tensions. Our future is best secured through engagement, dialogue, and strategic partnerships.

"Let us continue to build a harmonious and prosperous Ijaw nation and, by extension, the Niger Delta. However, while we embrace peace, let no one mistake our pacifist approach for cowardice. We are a people of indomitable spirit, forged by history, rich with courage and stamina. Our heritage is outstanding and we will defend our collective dignity against any form of denigration."