The Ijaw National Congress (INC) don warn all parties involved in the ongoing political crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to avoid actions or statements that could trigger ethnic conflict.
According to Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, the INC’s National Publicity Secretary, the recent loss of lives and destruction of property in Rivers State is a cause for concern. Oyakemeagbegha urge Wike to reconcile with Fubara to restore peace in the state, emphasizing that the crisis is essentially a political dispute and not an ethnic conflict.
Asukewe Iko-Awaji, a member of the Rivers Elders Council, also caution that ethnicity should not be part of the conversation in the Rivers crisis. He say that younger politicians often resort to violence, but seasoned politicians understand that politics is about interest, dialogue, and negotiation. Iko-Awaji add that the crisis is a matter of political interest, not ethnic rivalry.
The INC’s warning comes amid a deepening rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Rivers State structure, which has led to factional divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The crisis escalated after the NWC approved controversial PDP Congresses in Rivers State and postponed the National Executive Committee meeting, further straining relations between Wike and Fubara.
The PDP Board of Trustees has also intervened, urging the factional members of the NWC to restore the previous state of affairs and de-escalate the tension. The BoT Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, stated that the Board is fully dedicated to fostering peace, unity, and progress within the PDP.
