Ijaw group accuses Wike of ingratitude, disrespect

An Ijaw socio-cultural group, the Ijaw Nation Development Group (INDG), also known as the Ijaw People’s Assembly, has strongly condemned recent remarks made by the former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing them as inflammatory and disrespectful to the Ijaw people.

In a statement released on Saturday, the group accused Wike of being ungrateful to the Ijaw Nation, which it claims played a significant role in his rise to political prominence.

The INDG expressed outrage over Wike’s alleged characterization of the Ijaw people as a minority ethnic group, stating that such remarks not only insult the Ijaw Nation but also amount to a direct challenge to the authority of Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara.

According to the INDG, the Ijaw ethnic group has historically played a crucial role in the creation and development of Rivers State. The group emphasized that Ijaw leaders and communities provided immense political and electoral support to Wike during his tenure as governor, making his recent comments particularly disheartening and unacceptable.

“The Ijaw people, as the largest ethnic group in Rivers State with the highest number of Local Government Areas, cannot and will not be relegated to the background or regarded as a minority,” the statement read.

“It is a historical fact that Ijaw patriots played a pivotal role in the creation of Rivers State, and we will not allow our contributions and sacrifices to be dismissed or disrespected.”

The statement, jointly signed by INDG Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dennis Banigo, and President, Professor Prosper Ayawei, accused Wike of orchestrating the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State in an attempt to exert control over Governor Fubara.

READ ALSO: Pro-Wike lawmakers boycott meeting with Fubara amid political standoff

The group asserted that the Ijaw Nation stands united in rejecting any form of intimidation or political subjugation.

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In a strongly worded warning, the INDG cautioned Wike to refrain from making further divisive comments that could fuel ethnic tensions and destabilize the peace and unity of Rivers State.

“It is particularly disheartening that Mr. Wike, who rose to power through the benevolence and support of the Ijaw people, has chosen to cast aspersions upon the very community that stood by him,” the group said.

“Such actions are not only ungrateful but also divisive and unbecoming of a leader who once held the highest office in the state. We issue a strong warning to Mr. Wike to cease and desist from further careless altercations and inflammatory comments that have the potential to incite tribal conflict and disrupt the peace and harmony of Rivers State.”

The INDG also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the persistent political crisis in Rivers State and caution Wike against actions that could escalate tensions.

“Furthermore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and caution Mr. Wike against actions and rhetoric that could spark communal and political unrest capable of threatening the survival of Nigeria’s nascent democracy and economic prosperity.”

The group emphasized that leadership requires responsibility, urging political leaders to act with decorum and respect for the unity of the country.

“The Ijaw Nation Development Group (INDG/IPA) remains steadfast in our commitment to fostering unity, promoting development, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of our people. We will continue to work tirelessly with the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other well-meaning individuals and organizations to ensure that the Ijaw Nation and Rivers State thrive in peace, harmony, and prosperity.”

The ongoing political rift between Wike and Governor Fubara has continued to stir controversy, with many stakeholders urging reconciliation efforts to prevent further instability in the state.

However, the INDG’s latest statement signals a firm stance against any perceived attempts to undermine the Ijaw people’s influence and contributions to Rivers State’s political and socio-economic development.