The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned that any attempt by the federal government to stop the statutory allocations to Rivers State in compliance with the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja would be met with dire consequences.
Recall that a federal high court,presided over by Justice Joyce Abdul Malik had last week ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Accountant General of Federation AGF) should henceforth suspend the release of State and local government area allocations for Rivers state, following the alleged refusal of the state governor to present the 2024 appropriation bill to the State House of Assembly
This is even as a militant group in Niger Delta , the Niger Delta Development Force (NDDF), has issued a warning to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning against alleged plans by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to leverage Abuja courts to halt revenue allocations meant for the 23 Local Government Councils
Rivers state has been engulfed in political crisis, leading to the factionalization of the state assembly with two factional speakers
While the federal high court had declared the Speaker Martin Amaewhule led faction that is loyal to former governor and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike as the authentic assembly, the state governor however deals with the assembly that is led by speaker Victor Oko Jombo, which is loyal to him.
Jombo’s recognition by the governor however followed the mass defection of the pro Wike assembly members to announced their defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)
The Ijaw National Congress while issuing the warning at the weekend, enjoined President Bola Tinubu to be conscious in the handling of the issues concerning the state, which he said was becoming provocative and unconstitutional.
The President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, handed down the warning during the 10th Anniversary of the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) Worldwide held in Warri, Delta State.
He noted that if the persistence and discriminative assault on Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues unchecked, then there might be dire consequences.
“On a day like this where Ijaw women have gathered, we need to also make some pronouncements on the state of the nation. Let me use this opportunity to advise the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu to be very conscious of handling and managing the crisis in Rivers State.
“In the light of the High Court judgment stopping or denying statutory allocations to Rivers State, INC considers that as very provocative to Niger Delta and it is also unconstitutional.
“If the federal government decides to use the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deny Rivers State and by extension, Ijaw nation their statutory allocations, they will surely get what they want from Ijaw nation.
“We want to make it clear also to the entire world that if the persistent discriminative attack, insult, intimidation of the governor continues unchecked, there might be dire consequences,” he added.
Okaba added: “Diepreye Alamieyeseigha once said, ‘if you deny the Ijaw people, even if it is 50 per cent of their God-given wealth, a day will come, a day will surely come when the Ijaws will revolt back”.
He urged the federal government to tread cautiously with the River crisis.
He called on Ijaw brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers to remain calm in the face of the provocation adding “Please, remain calm because, in the first place, this judgment will not stand the test of time”.
Okaba commended the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) Worldwide for supporting the struggle to liberate the Ijaw nation and urged members not to relent.
He also expressed appreciation for the wonderful achievements of the group in its empowerment, advocacy, mobilisation, and education of their counterparts in the riverine as well as urban communities in the region.
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs and Pere of Karabiri-Mein in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, His Highness Godspower Tam Oporoma, debunked insinuations in some quarters, that Ijaw women were not allowed to speak on politics and economics matters due to tradition.
He noted that in Ijaw culture, there were no norms where it was said that women could not talk or comment on issues affecting them.
He charged the IWC members, saying “Don’t dampen your spirits. You have a right of association as enshrined in the constitution.
“Nobody can exclude you from exhibiting your endowed skills in political and economic affairs,” he added.
President of IWC Worldwide, Dr. Vivian Dabota Ige Elenwo, said the body was formed to bond together and to ensure Ijaw women’s participation in socio-political and economic matters, among others.
She paid glowing tributes to the founder and pioneer of IWC, Mrs. Rosemary Aken John-Oduone for her foresight in midwifing the group into what it is now.
“We want to appreciate the founder and pioneer president, Mrs. Rosemary Aken John-Oduone for her unwavering dedication, leadership, and foresight to lay the foundation for the success of this organisation,” she said