THE IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS (WORLD WIDE)
PRESS RELEASE.
WE WARN, DON’T INCLUDE ANY IJAW ANCESTRAL LANDS IN ANY IGBO-CLAIMED TERRITORY
The attention of the Leadership of the Ijaw National Congress has been drawn to a widely circulated press conference claiming that the entire Rivers State is part and parcel of Igbo land and, therefore, one of the statutory member states making up Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
While we respect individual rights of freedom of association, the ljaws, who constitute one of the major ethnic groups in Rivers State, cannot be part of and be represented in Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
Besides, some of the Local Government Areas mentioned in the claim, like the Port Harcourt Local Government Area, have other ethnic groups like the ljaw- Okrika group and the Engenes in Ahoada West
We have never and will not concede any inch of our territory to be part of any ethnic group(s). It is not rhetoric when we say THE IJAWS HAVE NEVER BEEN CONQUERED AND WILL NOT BE CONQUERED
We remain a majority ethnic group in Rivers State with our ten (10) local government areas.
We, therefore, advise caution and crave the indulgence of all ethnic nationalities to respect every action that would promote peaceful coexistence among us.
We are ljaw people and not Biafrans.
Signed:
Engr. (Chief) Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha ,
National Publicity Secretary, INC.
25th November 2024
