The Ijaw National Congress (INC), and the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), have warned against the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, threatening to disrupt oil production, and destabilize the Niger Delta region.
As the political crisis in Rivers State escalate, the groups declared their readiness to defend Gov. Fubara’s mandate, cautioning against any move to remove him from office.
The warning follows the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for Gov. Fubara to re-submit the 2025 budget for approval.
In a statement, the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, condemned the impeachment threats against the governor, warning that the Ijaw people will not stand by, while their first riverine governor in decades is being undermined.
He criticised the apex court’s ruling on the Rivers political crisis, pointing out that it failed to acknowledge the historical, and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State.
Prof. Okaba warned that any attempt to undermine Gov. Fubara, will have dire consequences for national peace, and economic stability, especially in the crude oil and gas-rich region.
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“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Prof. Okaba said.
He lamented that despite the sacrifices by the Ijaw people, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group, seeks to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades, adding that the Ijaw nation, will defend Gov. Fubara “with every pint of blood in their veins.”
Prof. Okaba regretted that while the INC worked tirelessly, to preserve peace in the Niger Delta, leading to increased oil production, and revenue for the nation, the same resources were being used to marginalize the people.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC), is calling for restraint, warning those plotting to use the Supreme Court judgment to destabilise Rivers State, to thread with caution.
IYC President, Dr. Theophilus Alaye, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, appraised the apex court verdict, and faulted the grounds on which the jurists took some of their decisions.
He warned those threatening impeachment against Gov. Fubara to be careful, saying any forceful attempt to remove him from office, will be resisted by the IYC, and other youths in the Niger Delta.
“We find the Supreme Court’s nullification of the Rivers State local government elections very provocative, and laughable, as other states equally relied on the 2023 INEC voters register to conduct local government elections.
“The verdict has confirmed our suspicion that the frequent boast of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that a tsunami will soon rock Rivers State, shows that the apex court is working hand in gloves with him to destroy the state.
“Rivers, as a major contributor to the national coffers, should not be starved of funds from their God-given natural endowment.
“We therefore, urge the apex court to review the judgment, because it has agitated the youths of Ijaw nation who have maintained peace in the Niger Delta, and supported the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government,” Dr. Alaye said.
