Rivers Crisis: Group rejects INC’s caution, demands apology

A group identified as the Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has reacted to a cautionary statement by Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, during the organisation’s recent press release on the Rivers State situation.

In a statement signed by Director General Hon. Johnson Georgewill and Secretary Mrs. Sarima Akpata, the RRM expressed disappointment with the INC’s stance on the lingering political crisis in the state, citing the organisation’s alleged betrayal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara during the 2023 elections.

This development is the latest in the ongoing debate surrounding the Rivers State crisis, with various groups and stakeholders weighing in on the issues at hand.

According to the RRM, the INC worked against Governor Fubara’s emergence despite the efforts of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to secure his victory. The group claimed that the INC’s recent support for the governor contrasts sharply with its previous opposition.

The statement read: “Rivers Restoration Movement knows this as a fact—that the Benjamin Okaba-led INC worked against the emergence of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara in 2023, when the political leader of Rivers State and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, did everything with the help of God and his faithful followers to ensure Gov. Siminalayi is victorious. So one begins to wonder about the intention behind this newfound love for a man they once said wasn’t a true Ijaw man.”

The RRM also questioned the INC’s motives, finding it laughable that the organisation would caution President Bola Tinubu’s body language, neutrality, honesty, and good faith, especially given the peace deal brokered in December 2023.

The group added: “RRM finds it laughable that INC will caution Mr. President’s body language, neutrality, honesty, and good faith when they all know Mr. President was the pillar behind the peace deal brokered at the Villa, with all parties signing the agreement on the 18th of December 2023, only for Gov. Fubara to renege and disobey almost everything Mr. President told him to do as a father.”

Furthermore, the RRM criticised the INC for remaining silent on key issues, including Governor Fubara’s refusal to recognize the leadership of Martins Ahmaehule and others, as well as his failure to present the 2024 budget as agreed upon.

The RRM emphasised that 90% of Ijaw politicians and stakeholders who supported Governor Fubara in 2023 remain loyal to Minister Wike. They cited the example of 10 out of 12 Ijaw slots in the Rivers State House of Assembly members siding with the former governor.

The group advised the INC to apologise to the people of Rivers State for their alleged betrayal in 2023. It also urged Minister Wike to disregard INC’s remarks, expressing confidence that loyal Ijaw leaders would complete their tenure through democratic processes.