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The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a “hasty and partisan” move.
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The INC accused the president of ignoring wise counsel and implementing a premeditated plan to favor Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The INC has called for the immediate removal of Wike and his cohorts.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a “hasty and partisan” move allegedly designed to favor Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, the decision to declare a state of emergency was triggered by the Ijaw people’s refusal to be provoked into violence during last weekend’s orchestrated thanksgiving on a Saturday and the hosting of Wike in Abalama.
“We said it just yesterday in both print and TV media that the political wahala in Rivers State is beyond a battle between Wike and Fubara, but one orchestrated by a bigger political hand. Nigerians have now seen the last straw that may break the camel’s back,” Okaba asserted.
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The INC leader also condemned what he described as the selective nature of the emergency rule, pointing out that while Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, the State House of Assembly members, and all appointees were removed, Wike remains in office as FCT Minister and federal appointees.
“How do we explain that, Mr. President’s experimental State of Emergency sacked Governor Fubara and all his appointed persons but did not sack Wike, the major player in this matter, who has continually and boastfully promised mayhem, attacked Ijaw people, and incited violence?” Okaba questioned.
The Ijaw National Congress has called for an immediate removal of Wike and his cohorts, warning that failure to do so will compel the Ijaw people to reassess “all the injustices meted upon them since the foundation of Nigeria” and take a firm stance in determining their future.
The INC has also expressed concerns over the safety and security of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, following the military’s takeover of power in Rivers State under the declared state of emergency.
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“The world is watching, and this move increasingly appears to be a case of dictatorship disguised as civilian governance,” the INC warned.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ekpo (Rtd.) has been appointed as the sole administrator of Rivers State, following the removal of all elected officials.
However, critics continue to ask why Wike, who has been at the center of the crisis, remains unaffected by the presidential decision.
WIKE: INC Commends Ijaw People, Warns Against Enemies of Democracy
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has expressed gratitude to the Ijaw people for avoiding a crisis allegedly orchestrated by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his federal allies.
According to INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the plan aimed to plunge Ijaw communities into a crisis that could justify emergency rule in Rivers State.
