…Alleges NDDC Director Behind Calls for Asari, Others’ Arrest

By Daniel Abia

Stakeholders under the Rivers Progressives Congress (RPC) have warned against using the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State as an excuse to threaten Ijaw leaders.

The group expressed concern over a recent call by the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress (RIPC), also known as Wike Ijaw Supporters Club (WISC), which demanded the arrest of Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and leaders of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) for their stance on the crisis.

In a statement on Wednesday, RPC’s Director, Dr. Douglas Otubo, described the demand for the arrest of Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Professor Okaba, and other Ijaw leaders as provocative and baseless.

“The allegations against these Ijaw leaders are politically motivated and orchestrated by a highly placed official in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The NDDC Executive Director involved should desist immediately.”

Otubo accused RIPC of being funded by an NDDC Executive Director and a certain Senator, warning that their actions were disrespectful to the Ijaw apex socio-cultural organizations.

“The so-called Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress, also known as Wike Ijaw Supporters Club, is being financed by an NDDC Executive Director and backed by a Senator. They must stop undermining the authority of the INC and IYC, which remain the umbrella bodies of Ijaw people worldwide.”

He further warned that their continued actions could provoke the wrath of the Ijaw nation.

“If they persist in this reckless behavior, they risk facing the consequences, including the wrath of the gods of Ijaw land, who are already angered by the continued exploitation and destruction of our God-given resources and environment.”

Otubo reiterated that Ijaw leaders from all zones, including those from Rivers State, had met on March 8 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for an expanded NEC meeting of the INC.

“The resolutions from that meeting reflect the collective will of the Ijaw people, and we stand by them.”

The group appealed to elder statesmen such as Generals Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida, and Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the Sultan of Sokoto, to intervene in the Rivers political crisis.

“For the sake of national peace, order, and economic stability, we urge these respected leaders to step in before the situation further deteriorates.”

As the political tension in Rivers State continues, various groups have called for restraint, dialogue, and respect for democratic processes.