The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, has issued a fervent call for unity amongst the Ijaw people, urging them to stand together in the face of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. In a stirring speech delivered at an emergency meeting of Ijaw stakeholders on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, Okaba condemned the recent imposition of emergency rule and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a grave assault on democracy and the rights of the Ijaw people.
Okaba’s address, titled, “A Call for Unity and Strategic Action,” focused on the need for a unified front to address what he termed a “systemic injustice” faced by the Ijaw people, including historical marginalization, economic deprivation, and environmental degradation. He emphasized that the current crisis in Rivers State, which saw the removal of a democratically elected Ijaw governor, was not a partisan issue but a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that guarantees the rights and autonomy of all Nigerians.
“This audacious infraction on our people in Rivers State, who have been out of governance for 24 years, is a clarion call for the Ijaw Nation, and all advocates of justice at the national and international levels, to stand unequivocally in defense of constitutional order,” Okaba declared. He also condemned inflammatory rhetoric and actions directed at the Ijaw people, calling for strategic resolve rather than emotional responses.
The INC President outlined a roadmap for achieving a unified response, urging stakeholders to prioritize dialogue with clear demands, leverage collective influence, forge pan-Niger Delta solidarity, engage in legal battles, and establish actionable outcomes with accountability measures.
“Let us remember that our strength is not merely numerical, but derives from our unwavering unity and love for our motherland,” Okaba concluded, urging the Ijaw people to transcend personal differences and unite for the greater good.
The emergency meeting, attended by Ijaw elders, chiefs, women and youth leaders, and other stakeholders, concluded with a commitment to develop a coordinated strategy for the immediate, medium, and long-term implementation of the outlined plan. The meeting also expressed a strong demand for the Federal Government to reconsider its actions and respect the will of the people of Rivers State by reinstating Governor Fubara.
The call for unity and strategic action from the INC President comes at a critical juncture for the Ijaw people, as they face ongoing challenges and strive to protect their interests and achieve a more equitable future.
