A group under the umbrella of Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress, RIPCO has called on Ijaw National Congress, INC to immediately stop fueling the crisis in Rivers State.
RIPCO made this call in a prees briefing in PortHacourt at the weekend.
In a press statement jointly signed by Senator George Thompson Sekibo, leader, Hon Rowland Sekibo, Director General and Hon Erastus Awortu, Secretary .
The group noted its attention has been drawn to several misguided and inflammatory statements recently made in both the print and electronic media.
“These statements threaten chaos and unrest in Rivers State, particularly in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the ongoing Rivers State crisis.
” While RIPCO ordinarily would not engage in public dispute over the opinions of other Ijaw people, we feel compelled to clarify some points and correct the misconceptions being propagated.
“Firstly, it is important to note that every citizen is constitutionally entitled to express their views and opinions. However, we must remind everyone that when two parties present their case before a court of competent jurisdiction, there are only two possible outcomes: either the judgment will favour one party or the other.
“The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has rendered its decision, bringing to an end the legal conflict that has disrupted the peace and stability of Rivers State for far too long.
“We express our sincere gratitude to God for this resolution, and we urge all Rivers people to support and encourage the implementation of the judgment as handed down by the court.
“However, it is deeply troubling that certain individuals, including Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), among others, have resorted to threats of violence and destruction, including targeting vital oil and gas infrastructure in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
“These calls for violence are not only reckless but also profoundly misguided. It is one thing to disagree with a judicial decision; still, it is entirely different to resort to destructive and unlawful actions that threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent people in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
“We wish to remind those making these unguided utterances that we live in a democratic dispensation governed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which enshrines the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court has the final authority to interpret the Constitution and the country’s laws, and its decisions are final and binding on all.
“Those who call for war, destruction, and civil disobedience should be reminded that Rivers State belongs to all its people, and no individual or group has the right to impose their will through violence and terror.
“In light of these developments, RIPCO feels it is necessary to provide the following clarifications:
1. The Supreme Court Judgment is Not Based on Ethnicity
The Supreme Court’s judgment was not based on ethnic considerations or the notion of the Ijaws opposing another ethnic group. It was rendered in strict accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. This was a judicial intervention in a legal dispute, not an ethnic or political contest. It is crucial that we all understand and respect the supremacy of the law.
2. Rivers State is a Multi-Ethnic State
Contrary to the narrative promoted by certain individuals, Rivers State is not a monolithic Ijaw state.
“It is a vibrant and diverse multi-ethnic entity, home to the Ijaws, Ikwerre, Ogonis, Oyigbo, Eleme, Ogba, Etche, Egbema, Ndoni, Ekpeya and many others.
The diversity among the people in Rivers State is its strength, and we must all embrace this diversity for the collective progress and peace of our state. We should not permit these misguided and selfish self-proclaimed Ijaw leaders to take the law into their own hands simply because the state is currently governed by an Ijaw son who is acting in a similar manner.
3. The Issue of Impeachment Requires a Political Solution
The recent fears regarding the impeachment of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalaye Fubara, raised by Professor Benjamin Okaba and his cohorts, are unfounded and premature, as the House of Assembly has not declared such an intention.
“However, even if the House were to express this, it is not an issue that should be resolved through threats of violence or disruption. Instead, it demands a political resolution that must be sought through constitutional and lawful means. If there are legitimate concerns about governance or the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, these should be addressed within the established legal and political framework, rather than through inflammatory rhetoric and unlawful actions.
4. The Unconstitutionality of External Interference
At the onset of this crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, anticipating the outcomes, intervened. At that time, Professor Okaba and his Cohorts criticised the intervention, labeling it unconstitutional.
The President’s intervention at that time was criticised for overstepping the bounds of the Constitution. We must now ask: Would it be constitutionally appropriate for the President to intervene again in a matter where the Supreme Court, an independent branch of government, has already made its final decision?
“It is essential for those advocating for the President’s intervention to reverse or override the Supreme Court’s ruling to understand that it would be a direct challenge to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
5. Suppose the Supreme Court Judgment had Favoured Governor Sim Fubara
It is our belief that if the Supreme Court judgment had favoured the Governor and his team, the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and his team would have succumbed to wise counsel and vacated their seats to allow peace and stability reign in the state. Thus, Governor Sim Fubara attempt at further escalating the crisis is an executive rascality beyond the imaginations of wise counsel.
Governor Siminalaye Fubara should note again that the decision of the Supreme Court is final and binding.
6. Professor Benjamin Okaba Should Advise Governor Fubara to Implement the Judgment and Not to Disrupt the Peace of Rivers State Further
In the spirit of peace and stability, we, members of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress and fellow Ijaw brothers with Professor Benjamin Okaba do implore him and his Co-travellers to advise His Excellency Governor Sir Siminalaye
Fubara to promptly implement the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Only through the full execution of the court’s decision can peace and order be restored in Rivers State. The people of Rivers State deserve nothing less than the swift and transparent implementation of the rule of law.
7. The General Public Is to Note That Professor Benjamin Okaba and His Co-Travellers Are Not Speaking for all Rivers State Ijaw People .
The general public is invited to note that Professor Benjamin Okaba and his associates, who are threatening with hell and brimstone in Rivers State, do not speak for all Rivers Ijaw people, as there is no other formidable Ijaw group besides the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress. Therefore, the public is advised to disregard these misguided and provocative remarks and comments from them.
8. RIPCO Supports the Supreme Court Judgment
As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’
Congress stands firm in supporting the Supreme Court’s judgment. We believe that this judgment is a critical step towards bringing stability, peace, and justice to Rivers State.
We commend the Supreme Court for its wisdom in resolving this matter, and we encourage all citizens to accept the judgment and work together for the betterment of our state.
9. RIPCO Congratulates the Speaker and twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
We also wish to congratulate the Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and all twenty-six members of the Assembly for their unwavering dedication to upholding the law and promoting peace in our state. Their commitment to governance and the rule of law is commendable, and we stand with them in their efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
10. We Are Committed to the Security and Safety of Our Commonwealth As law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, the members of RIPCO are committed to safeguarding the peace, stability, and prosperity of our state and country. We will continue to support the federal government’s initiatives to maintain law and order. We, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress members will not hesitate to stand with the security agencies to fish out any individuals or groups that aim to undermine our collective well-being through violence, illegal activities, or attempts to damage our nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.
In conclusion, we urge all well-meaning Rivers people to remain calm, law abiding, and supportive of the democratic process. The Supreme Court has spoken, and it is our duty as citizens to respect its decision. We must all work together for the continued development and unity of Rivers State, rejecting any actions that seek to divide us or bring harm to our communities.
