Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has again 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.
Governor Diri, who argued that the Rivers crisis could be resolved through dialogue, also emphasized that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Bayelsa governor made the appeal on Wednesday at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
He urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to immediately intervene, restore peace, and reinstate the legally constituted government in Rivers State.
His words: “Again, I restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for the people of Rivers State. I urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene, bring back peace, and restore the constituted government of Rivers State to office.
“The South-South Governors’ Forum, of which I am chairman, had urged the President to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties.
“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.”
According to Governor Diri, the Ijaw people remain committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria. As one of the major and largest ethnic groups, alongside other ethnic nationalities, they have made immense sacrifices for the country’s unity and prosperity.
“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.”
In his welcome address, the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, 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.
Prof. Okaba stressed that the imposition 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.
He noted that the denial of the governorship position to the Ijaws in Rivers for over 24 years was not a partisan issue but a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that upholds the rights of every Nigerian citizen.
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Okaba added that the gathering was not another talk shop but a reminder to the Ijaws that their strength was not merely numerical but derived from their unity and love for their motherland.
The INC leader also urged the federal government to reconsider its actions and respect the sovereignty of the Rivers people.
In her keynote address, rights activist Ms. Annkio Briggs said the Ijaw nation’s forefathers—like King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, and Isaac Adaka Boro—foresaw the current struggles and emphasized that it is now the responsibility of the people to safeguard and improve on their legacy.
Ms. Briggs stressed that it would be a great disservice if the current generation of Ijaws failed to build on the efforts of their forebears.
She commended those who stood with Rivers State since 2023 when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was sworn in, describing their support as a symbol of true Ijaw unity.
She also extolled the late Pa Edwin Clark, praising his leadership in defending the Ijaw people against oppression. Furthermore, she lauded the INC for consistently 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.
The one-day stakeholders’ meeting was attended by prominent Ijaw leaders, including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; the first military governor of Rivers State and current Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; a former governor of Rivers, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and a former deputy governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also present were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; notable traditional rulers from across Ijawland; and the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri, among others.
