Ijaw Groups Slam Fubara, Decry Assault On Democracy In Rivers

Ijaw leaders under the auspices of Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG) have expressed dissatisfaction with the political developments in Rivers State.
The group in a statement issued in Yenagoa, also expressed disappointment with suspended Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged attempt to betray the democratic mandate handed to him by the people of Rivers State.
The statement was signed by Ben Okoro, Efiye Bribena, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Iniruo Wills, Elaye Otrofanowei, Tare Ekpebu, Pattison Boleigha.
Other members of the coalition who endorsed the statement are Ms. Annkio Briggs, Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone, Ebitim Egbunukumoh and Yimovie Sakue-Collins
The statement said rather than focusing on the serious economic and ecological problems of the state, politicians and government officials were playing politics with the people and its funds.
“Rather than focusing on improving the situation they claim to have met, they seem to have become more brazen and emboldened in a desperate attempt to capture instruments of State power,” the statement said.
“We see the brazen suspension of the entire apparatus of government, the elected Governor, State House of Assembly members as amounting to nothing less than ‘overthrowing’ the mandate of the people and the legitimate and democratically elected government of Rivers state,” the statement said.
The group noted that the buildup to the state of emergency declared by the President was orchestrated by the selfish desire of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike to control the state by proxy.
The group stated that they were alarmed by the unconstitutional conduct by which the National Assembly endorsed this act through an unconstitutional ‘voice vote’.
“We therefore are fully aligned with the principled positions taken by respected citizens such as Mr. Atedo Peterside, Ms. Ann Kio Briggs, Dame Donu Kogbara, and the Rivers Elders who had rightly demanded an immediate halt to this illegality.
“We also acknowledge and celebrate the indomitable spirit of the various women groups that make up the ‘Rivers Women Unite for Sim.’
“These women with hearts of lion have continually resisted the Illegitimate Sole Administrator in Rivers State since the unconstitutional swearing in at Abuja by the President.
“We call upon all well-meaning Nigerians, the international community, and all defenders of participatory democracy to speak out against this injustice and support the restoration of constitutional governance, democratic order, and the rule of law in Rivers State,”
The coalition explained that like all Nigerians, the people of Rivers State deserved to live in a democracy and enjoy its dividends, where the people are governed according to the rule of law and by those they have democratically elected, not by proxies, military-style appointees, or individuals imposed by anti-democratic forces, as is the case in Rivers State today.
“We hold the view that the operational conduct of the unconstitutionally imposed ‘Sole Administrator’ Vice Admiral Ibo-Ete Ekwe Ibas, (Rtd), particularly in the affairs of superintending over the resources of the state, be thoroughly scrutinized.
The coalition said they are disappointed by the nonchalant attitude of Gov Siminalayi Fubara towards the mandate bestowed on him by the people of Rivers.
They decried Fubara’s recent attempt to abandon the sacred mandate given to him as most despicable, uncharitable and bespeaks of the larger problem of the democratic processes in Nigeria
They described the situation wherein politicians trade the interests of the people for their selfish personal interests as regrettable.
“We therefore call on Governor Sim Fubara to retrace his steps, rise and defend his mandate!”