Former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and ex-Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has slammed Governor Douye Diri for allegedly using the Ijaw identity as a political shield in his internal party struggles.
Eradiri, who once served as Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and later Environment, accused Diri of deliberately dragging the Ijaw nation into his personal rift with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, under the guise of ethnic solidarity. He said it is misleading and dangerous for Diri to present his conflict with Wike as an Ijaw versus Wike affair, warning that such political gimmicks only serve personal ambitions.
Speaking in Yenagoa, Eradiri said, “Governor Diri should go and settle his political battles with Wike within the PDP. Stop painting it as if the entire Ijaw nation is at war with Wike. That is not only deceptive but also irresponsible.”
Eradiri recalled that during the last Bayelsa gubernatorial election, Diri had no problem seeking support from the same Wike he now portrays as an enemy of the Ijaw people. “When he knelt before Wike to secure political backing, where was the so-called Ijaw pride? Now, because the tide has changed, he wants the Ijaw nation to rise in arms over his personal problems,” he said.
Eradiri did not mince words in criticizing those he described as fair-weather Ijaw advocates. He noted that when Wike committed N5 billion to renovate the abandoned Law School in Yenagoa, these same voices were silent. “Where were the defenders of Ijaw pride then? Why didn’t they applaud such development?” he asked.
He urged the public to rewatch Wike’s statements and judge objectively. “Let’s be honest. Was Wike lying or just telling uncomfortable truths? Unfortunately, many jumped on the bandwagon of condemnation without even understanding the context,” Eradiri said.
He lamented the state of infrastructure in Bayelsa, especially in Yenagoa, which he described as “a capital in ruins.” He said many Ijaw leaders have failed the people, choosing political grandstanding over real development. “Our youths are unemployed, our airport is comatose, our schools are shadows of what education should be, yet we’re busy forming solidarity over political battles that don’t benefit the people.”
He also took a swipe at Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing him as incompetent and responsible for the crisis in the state. “Fubara should stop using Ijaw identity to cover up his own failures. How many Ijaw youths in Rivers has he empowered? Where was he when Wike visited Abalama? Let him show us the appointments and projects he has executed in Ijaw communities.”
According to Eradiri, those pushing Fubara into confrontation with Wike are the same ones who used to kneel before Wike for political favors. “Now that they are out of power, they want to incite the Ijaw nation against Wike. But where were they when Wike made Fubara governor without him lifting a finger during campaigns?”
Eradiri advised Fubara to humble himself and make peace with Wike. He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for stepping in to prevent Fubara’s impeachment, which he said would have embarrassed the Ijaw nation.
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He criticized the Ijaw National Congress (INC) for taking sides in the political feud and warned the body to remain neutral and focused on promoting unity and development. “The INC should not become a tool for politicians. Many of those supporting Wike, including Abalama chiefs and youths, are also Ijaw. Are they suddenly not part of the nation?”
He argued that Wike has done more for Ijaw communities than many self-proclaimed ethnic champions. “Wike’s infrastructural impact is visible across Ijawland. What do these other leaders have to show except abandoned projects and looted development funds, as revealed in the NDDC Forensic Audit?”
Eradiri also criticized how Ijaw-owned assets like the Atala Marginal Field were sold off to outsiders, robbing Ijaw youths of opportunities for growth. He blamed some Ijaw leaders for deliberately underdeveloping the state while sending their children abroad for education.
He concluded with a passionate appeal: “Let’s stop ethnicising every political issue. Diri and Fubara should face their problems within the PDP. Don’t drag the Ijaw nation into your personal wars. The real enemies are not outside — they are within.”
