….stands with Rivers people, Fubara

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AN Ijaw Diaspora group, Ijaw Diaspora Council, IDC, has vehemently condemned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, over his alleged attacks against the late leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, Chief Edwin Clark.

In a statement signed by the President, IDC, Prof Mondy Gold, expressed pain over what the IDC described as “brazen public insult”, and also added that it was “an affront to Chief Clark but also an affront to the dignity of Nigeria as one nation.”

Gold also said the utterances of the FCT Minister was capable of causing serious political turmoil amid the overheated polity in Rivers State and the entire Ijaw nation.

He said: “We, the elders and leaders of the Ijaw Diaspora Council, unequivocally and vehemently condemn the appalling, reckless, and utterly disgraceful utterances of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, against one of Nigeria’s most revered elder statesmen and the indefatigable former leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, Chief Dr. Edwin Clark.

“Wike’s brazen public insult, spewed on national television, is not merely an affront to Chief Clark but also an affront to the dignity of Nigeria as one nation and the collective sensibilities of all progressive and well-meaning Nigerians. His uncouth remarks, laced with arrogance, ethnic denigration, and political mischief, expose a disturbing pattern of disregard for elders, minority voices, and historical truths.

“We, the Ijaw Diaspora, categorically state that Nyesom Wike has demonstrated, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that he is unfit to hold any public office, particularly within a fragile political landscape such as Rivers State today. His words are not just the rants of an overzealous political opportunist; they are the incendiary provocations of a dangerous demagogue hellbent on fanning the embers of discord in Rivers State and the Niger Delta at large.”

However, the IDC’s boss called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike in order to avoid Ijaw-Ikwerre crisis.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate and decisive action to rein in Wike’s unchecked recklessness before it spirals into an uncontrollable crisis between the Ijaw and Ikwerre peoples in Rivers State. It is an undeniable historical fact that the Ikwerre ethnic group occupies only four local government areas (Emohua, Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor, and part of Port Harcourt), yet Wike’s constant political manipulations and divisive rhetoric threaten to destabilize the delicate ethnic harmony of the state.

“The President must recognize that silence in the face of such blatant provocation will be construed as complicity. Failure to act now will inevitably lead to grave and irreversible consequences for the unity and peace of Rivers State and its peace-loving people. Given that Nigeria depends on the state’s resources, ensuring security must be a primary objective. It is, therefore, imperative to draw the President’s attention to the inciting outburst of his Minister.

“Wike’s outburst is not mere political grandstanding—it is a dangerous prelude to ethnic antagonism that could plunge Rivers State into chaos. The Ijaw people will not remain silent in the face of such insults, nor will they tolerate any further denigration of our leaders and people. This is precisely why we are calling on the President to act. If Wike is not swiftly called to order, his inflammatory rhetoric may incite unavoidable confrontation between the Ijaw and Ikwerre communities—a situation that must be averted at all costs.

“Enough is enough, the Ijaw Nation has sacrificed immensely for the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. We categorically reject any attempt to relegate, bully, or disrespect us—whether by a Minister of the Republic or a political opportunist intoxicated by power and blinded by personal vendettas.

“The Federal Government must take immediate steps to prevent the looming crisis in Rivers State.

“The time for decisive action is now. We shall continue to work with the President to maintain peace—on just terms.”

Meanwhile, the IDC also declared its support for the Rivers people and Governor of Rivers State, Siminalaye Fubara

“The Ijaw Diaspora remains unwavering in its commitment to justice, equity, and the preservation of peace. We reaffirm our loyalty to our leaders, our heritage, and our unyielding pursuit of fairness and dignity for all Ijaw people. At this critical moment, we stand in solidarity with the good people of Rivers State and His Excellency Governor Sim Fubara”, he said.