Ijaw National Congress Vows to Resist Any Attempt to Impeach Rivers Governor Fubara

Embattled Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have received the backing of Ijaw National Congress (INC) against any move to impeach him.

The group, often notorious for its restive political activism, warned that an attempt could lead to widespread instability in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The group vowed to use “every pint of blood in their veins” to protect the governor and ensure he finishes his term in office in peace.

INC also warned that destabilizing Rivers State could have “dire consequences for national peace and economic stability” given the region’s vital role in Nigeria’s oil production.  

It cautioned that undermining Fubara’s administration would be viewed as an attack on the Ijaw people, who have historically played a key role in the state’s governance.  

Ijaw Contributions Ignored in Supreme Court Judgment

INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rivers political crisis, arguing that it failed to recognize the historical sacrifices of the Ijaw people.  

“The Supreme Court judgment did not acknowledge the role Ijaw leaders have played in shaping Rivers State’s governance,” he stated.  

He also lamented that despite the Ijaw people’s role in “ensuring stable oil production and increased national revenue”, they are still politically marginalized.  “The resources we generate for the country are being used against us,” he said.  

He further noted that this exclusion is not limited to Rivers State but extends to Ijaw communities in Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom where they continue to face political suppression.  

Direct Warning to Tinubu

The INC also directed a strong message to the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. They asked the president not to be misled into believing that political crisis is the equivalence of mere politicking.

“This is not just about politics,” Okaba stressed. “There are over 40 million Ijaw people worldwide, and we will not sit idly while our people are sidelined.”  

The INC insisted that Fubara should be allowed to complete his tenure and urged him to continue engaging all arms of government to “preserve democracy in Rivers State.”  

Okaba also issued a veiled threat of unrest if any attempt is made to forcefully remove the governor.  

“If Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Amaewhule-led Assembly or any other group, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta or the continued rise in Nigeria’s oil production,” he declared.  

Ijaw Sacrifices Cannot Be Ignored

Tracing the Ijaw people’s political contributions, Okaba highlighted key moments when Ijaw leaders made sacrifices to support other ethnic groups in Rivers governance.  

“In 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshall Harry, played a crucial role in ensuring that Dr. Peter Odili won the PDP ticket despite opposition from Sergeant Awuse,” he recalled.  

“Chief Harry also ensured Odili’s victory against Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party (APP).”  Okaba further stated that in 2003, when Marshall Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a major loss for the Ijaw people.  

“In 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia. Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was even killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches.”  

The INC also noted that in 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi attempted to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Dame Patience Jonathan intervened to ensure Nyesom Wike got the slot instead.  

“The Ijaw people have consistently made sacrifices, yet today we are being treated as if we do not matter in Rivers politics,” Okaba declared.  

He called on political leaders, both in Rivers State and at the federal level, to “approach this crisis with caution, fairness, and respect for the contributions of the Ijaw nation.”  

Ijaw Will Not Accept Marginalization Any Longer

The INC made it clear that it will no longer tolerate what it calls the “continuous political suppression” of Ijaw people in Rivers and other states.  

“This is not just about Fubara. This is about the Ijaw nation being treated with the respect and recognition it deserves,” Okaba emphasized.  

The INC urged the federal government and political actors in Rivers State to reconsider any move that could provoke unrest in the Niger Delta.

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