Rivers State Crisis: Ijaw Nation vows to resist perceived injustice

The Ijaw nation has declared its intent to resist what it describes as an ongoing pattern of oppression against its people, following the political crisis in Rivers State. In a strongly worded statement issued by representatives of various Ijaw communities, the group decried the situation as a direct attack on the Ijaw people, vowing to stand in solidarity to safeguard their rights and resources.

Following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state’s House of Assembly, representatives from Egbama, Gbaramatu, Isaba, and Ogbe-Ijoh clans of Delta and Edo states has expressed concern that the recent political turmoil is a calculated move to silence the Ijaw voice in Nigeria.

Citing past events, the group referenced the removal of former President Goodluck Jonathan as a moment when the Ijaw nation failed to act, leading to what they perceive as a continued disregard for their contributions to the nation. They lamented that despite their region being rich in oil, their people have faced political and economic exclusion, while their resources are used to develop other regions.

The representatives argued that the exclusion of an Ijaw person from the position of Minister of Petroleum was a deliberate attempt to weaken their control over their own resources. They criticized the appointment of a State Minister of Petroleum, calling it an “insult” and a mere token position beneath the authority of the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In their statement, the Ijaw leaders warned of possible economic actions should the alleged injustices continue. They emphasized their readiness to use all available means to resist marginalization, including shutting down critical economic activities in their regions.

The full press statement below;

IJAW NATION WILL STAND AGAINST THIS INJUSTICE

The current crisis in River State is an attack on the Ijaw nation. As clans and Kingdom’s of ijaw nation within Delta State and Edo state, we the people of  Egbama, Gbaramatu, Isaba and Ogbe-Ijoh, we are fully aware that these are activities aimed at silencing the voice of the Ijaw people in Nigeria.

Eight years ago, we witnessed how an Ijaw man was disgraced from office and removed from the presidential villa. The Ijaw people were reduced to nothing because the Ijaw nation failed to act when President Goodluck Jonathan was removed. We, the Gbaramatu Ijaw, Egbama Ijaw, Isaba Ijaw, and Ogbe-Ijoh clan, have agreed in solidarity to stand by our Ijaw brothers in River State.

This is a cry from all Ijaw youths; this is an Ijaw national battle against federal government oppression. The Ijaw nation will not take this lightly. We from Delta State and Bayelsa State will join forces to ensure that this disgrace stops once and for all. The government cannot take our oil, fight, and disgrace us while they use our oil to build Abuja and devastate our state.

This is bigger than Fubara; the Ijaw nation will stand and defend ourselves with our last breath. We are aware that they are making further plans to wipe out the Ijaw nation from power, even attempting to take our God-given resources from us. They want to enslave us and disguise it as a political battle.

The gold they possess, they hoard; their cattle, they keep. But the Ijaw oil is shared among all, yet they do not want an Ijaw person in power. We will utilize all strategies at our disposal; we will cripple the economy as they have chosen to cripple our state.

We will unite forces to reclaim our rights. They have failed to appoint an Ijaw person as Minister of Petroleum because they want total control of our resources. How can you appoint an Ijaw nation state minister of Petroleum, a position that the GMD of NNPCL is more powerful than? What an insult to the Ijaw nation; it is more like being an errand servant. As a people, we have decided to stand up and resist it.

We are using this medium to call upon all Ijaws to join this battle. The Ijaws are not minorities; all Ijaws in Bomadi, Patani, Burutu, Ondo, Uvwie, Udu, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Lagos, and those in the diaspora should unite in this struggle for the soul of the Ijaw nation. This oppression must cease; the Ijaw nation will stand and defend its land. Asawana, wana.

Signed.
Comr. Tamaradenyeifa Iroroyekenigha
Ogbe-Ijoh Representative

Mr. Emizibo Seiyefa
Egbama Representative

Comr. Ayibatari Tarila
Isaba Representative

Comr. Binatari Ekpokememi
Gbaramatu Representative

Sir Fetiemo Ebiwari
Bomadi Representative

Mr. Kemepade Adibobouegbe
Burutu Representative

Comr. Faafa Peibolu
Patani Representative

As tensions rise, the unfolding situation is being closely watched as the Ijaw nation signals a strong and united front against perceived political and economic marginalization.

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