A group under the umbrella of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPCO), has cautioned the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to stop fueling the political crisis in Rivers State by threatening violence.
RIPCO made this call in a statement released at the weekend.
In the statement signed jointly signed by Senator George Sekibo, leader, Rowland Sekibo, Director General, and Erastus Awortu, respectively, the group described as misguided, and inflammatory, statements credited to the INC in the media.
The Rivers Ijaw organization said the inflammatory rhetoric by the INC, in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State crisis, is capable of causing chaos, and unrest in the state.
“While RIPCO ordinarily, would not engage in public dispute over the opinions of other Ijaw people, we feel compelled to clarify some points, and correct the misconceptions being propagated.
“Firstly, it is important to note that every citizen is constitutionally entitled to express their views and opinions. However, we must remind everyone that when two parties present their case before a court of competent jurisdiction, there are only two possible outcomes; either the judgment will favour one party or the other.
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“The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has rendered its decision, bringing to an end the legal conflict that has disrupted the peace, and stability of Rivers State for far too long.
“We express our sincere gratitude to God for this resolution, and we urge all Rivers people to support, and encourage the implementation of the judgment as handed down by the court.
“However, it is deeply troubling that certain individuals, including Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), among others, have resorted to threats of violence and destruction, including targeting vital oil, and gas infrastructure in Rivers State, and the wider Niger Delta region.
“These calls for violence are not only reckless, but also profoundly misguided. It is one thing to disagree with a judicial decision, still, it is entirely different to resort to destructive, and unlawful actions that threaten the lives, and livelihoods of innocent people in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
“We wish to remind those making these unguided utterances that we live in a democratic dispensation governed by the constitution, which enshrines the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court has the final authority to interpret the constitution, and the country’s laws, and its decisions are final and binding on all.
“Those who call for war, destruction, and civil disobedience should be reminded that Rivers State belongs to all its people, and no individual or group has the right to impose their will through violence and terror,’ the group said.
