- Ø The president's assertions regarding Fubara lack sincerity, according to Okaba, the president of the INC.
- Ø HRH Sara-Igbe, a leader within the Ijaw community, stated that Ibas will ultimately be held responsible for his actions in Rivers
- Ø Briggs, a prominent activist from the Niger Delta, criticized the narratives surrounding Fubara, suggesting they misrepresent the views of the people of Rivers
- Ø Robinson, a former spokesperson for PANDEF, along with activist Edore, argued that it is unreasonable to claim that the president has misrepresented the facts
Ijaw leaders in the Niger Delta have accused President Bola Tinubu of being misled about the situation in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara was suspended and a state of emergency declared.
Ten days after Fubara's suspension and the emergency declaration, the leaders of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the region's apex socio-cultural organization, assessed the situation. They were joined by renowned Niger Delta activist Ann-kio Briggs, Ijaw leader HRH Anabs Sara-Igb, and HRH King-jerry Prebor, the Amanana-owei of the Meinbutus Federated Communities.
The group dug into the matter to uncover "the truth and lies" behind the president's actions. However, some dissenting voices, including former PANDEF publicity secretary Ken Robinson and Delta-based activist Comrade Felix Edore, disagreed that Tinubu had been misled.
INC president Prof. Benjamin Okaba told Saturday Vanguard that their findings showed the pipeline blasts preceding the emergency declaration were "part of their grand plan." He accused unnamed parties of sending "their boys to blow up the pipelines" to justify the government's actions.
Okaba said the Ijaw people are not taking the situation lightly and are committed to uncovering the truth. He called for a high-powered committee of former presidents and vice presidents to mediate the crisis, and urged Tinubu to withdraw the state of emergency, halt court cases, and ban the key parties from commenting further.
Legendary activist Ann-Kio Briggs also stated that Tinubu suspended Fubara based on "wrong information" about the Rivers governor. The INC expressed concern over the "conflicting reports" on the pipeline attacks and called for a thorough, impartial investigation.
Overall, the Ijaw leaders have leveled serious allegations of deception and constitutional overreach against the Tinubu administration's handling of the Rivers State crisis. They are demanding a review of the approach to ensure justice, equity and stability in the region.
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