President Bra Tinub declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, which rekindled the call for self-determination of the Iya tribe in the Niger Delta.
Professor Benjamin Okaba, chairman of the IJAW National Congress (INC), the IJAW social and cultural organization, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision in an interview with Vanguard.
“For the Ijaw people, we were not too happy because we saw it as another slap to us. But again, our position will be considered at a wider stakeholder meeting,” he said.
He further said:At that meeting, I was sure the Ilyans will look at how we performed in this Nigerian project and how we can bring our pursuit of self-determination home. ”
He criticized the rapidity of the declaration, believing that President Tinob had many opportunities to resolve the situation in different ways. “We say it was hasty because the president had many opportunities to use all aspects of Nigerians to call his minister Nyesom Wike ordered calls,” Okaba was added.
He continued: “Second, although Vick himself has always been an opponent, he boldly stated that he will make it impossible for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to make governance impossible, just as he doesn’t dance for his tune. ”
Okaba outlines Wike’s intentions and quotes him as saying:Allowing him to control all LGAs in Rivers State, he (Fubara) should sign an agreement that he will not compete in 2027. ”
The company’s chairman claims that Vick’s willingness to seize power and resources in the River State is a serious problem, warning that it will harm the people.
“The governor signed a covenant for sustainable development with the people of the river and could not mortgage the requirement because he wanted to satisfy someone, He said.
Okaba also expressed his belief that a state of emergency should involve all those who contribute to the crisis. “Vick must be fired, and all federal appointees from the state must be fired, because if you don’t fire them, they will use their position to commit more crises and create more favorable roles for themselves. ”
He further claimed that Vick had orchestrated the crisis to promote a state of emergency. “We saw from the beginning that the statement was one of the options Vick looked at. He felt that the judiciary could not evacuate him quickly. If parliament cannot take him away; then the next option is to create a mess so that emergency situations can be imposed in the state,” Okaba came to the conclusion.
In response, Miakpor Emioso, retired president of the customary courts of the Delta State, expressed a different view on the situation.
“I think it is inevitable that we find ourselves in a river state, but unfortunately,” he said.
He noted that the president said in declaring a state of emergency:If you notice, the president never mentioned the speaker’s name on the radio, nor did he mention the well-known external influence of the House on the origins of the crisis. ”
Emiaso criticized the six-month duration of the emergency, which showed that it was excessive, especially among retired officers appointed as the sole executive. “It’s too long, especially when you draft a retired officer to run the state as an administrator,” he said.
Former Chairman of the IYC Youth Committee (IYC) Chris Ekyoralso expressed shock at the emergency announcement. “The emergency brought me a rude shock. It gives the impression that the president has a responsibility to his minister,” he said.
Ekyor questioned the legitimacy of the judicial decision that 27 legislators and recognized them as legitimate members.
He claimed that Vick’s actions were an offense to the people of Iya and criticized his treatment of them. “He insulted the ijaw media in Abuja. Then he came to the heart of Ijaw land, shot our women and children with tear gas, and asked, “How many people are there?”
Dr. Ekyor also drew attention to the president’s failure to declare a state of emergency, former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu opposes former President Olusegun Obasanjo said: “President Tinub rebelled against former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 2003 and 2007, serving as governor of Lagos State. He did not declare a state of emergency. ”
Former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, saying the emergency declaration was troubling. “Political conflicts in the past were driven by ideological differences and national interests rather than self and the game of thrills. The current situation of river countries reflects a dangerous shift in Nigeria’s political culture.,” he said.
Hashem expressed concerns about the political instability that could result from the state of emergency and warned against using such extreme measures with caution. “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country with complex fault lines and competitive loyalty. Extreme measures such as states of emergency should be adopted with caution and fairness to avoid further political and social instability,” he added.
He also praised the House for its position on overseeing the sole administrator in Rivers. “The House decision strengthens the principles of constitutional order and legislative oversight,” Hashem said.
Hashem concluded that he called on political leaders to focus on the country’s development and said: “Nigeria needs development and stability, not power struggles. Political leaders must go beyond personal disputes and focus on governance that brings peace, progress and prosperity to the people. ”
