From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri has again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and instead set up a committee to reconcile the different parties to the dispute in the state.

Diri, who contended that the Rivers crisis can be resolved through dialogue, also empasised that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He made the appeal on Wednesday at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), which was held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

Diri urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to immediately intervene and restore peace and bring the legally constituted government back to office in Rivers.

“Again, l restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers State. l urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office.

“The South-South Governors’ Forum, of which I am chairman, had urged the President to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties.

“However, let me be unequivocal. The Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

According to the Bayelsa helmsman, the Ijaw people remain committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria and as one of the major and largest ethnic groups, alongside other ethnic nationalities, had made immense sacrifices for the country’s unity and prosperity.

“Today, we must again draw from the fountain of wisdom. It is imperative that we resist being manipulated and refuse to be drawn into a conflict orchestrated by desperate people propagating their agenda. We must approach every situation with discernment, ensuring that our actions align with long-term goals rather than short-term interests.

“Our contributions political, economic, and environmental are undeniable. We should continue to advocate for justice, fairness, and inclusivity within a united Nigeria. I urge all Ijaws, especially our vibrant youths, to exercise restraint, maintain peace, and steer clear of actions that could escalate tensions. Our future is best secured through engagement, dialogue, and strategic partnerships.

“Let us continue to build a harmonious and prosperous Ijaw nation and, by extension, the Niger Delta. However, while we embrace peace, let no one mistake our pacifist approach for cowardice. We are a people of indomitable spirit, forged by history, rich with courage and stamina. Our heritage is outstanding and we will defend our collective dignity against any form of denigration.”

The INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, appreciated Ijaw men and women of good conscience, Niger Deltans, Nigerians and the international community for their unflinching support for justice and equity in the ongoing Rivers political crisis.

‎Prof. Okaba stressed that the position of emergency rule and suspension of any governor by President Tinubu, under whatever guise, constituted a great assault on the principles of justice, democratic governance and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He noted that the infractions on rights of the Ijaws in Rivers, who had been denied the governorship position for over 24 years, was not a partisan issue but a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that guides the rights and economy of every Nigerian citizen.

‎Okaba added that the gathering was not another talkshop but to remind the Ijaws that their strength was not merely numerical but derived from the bond of unity and love for their motherland.

The INC leader also urged the federal government to reconsider its actions and respect the sovereignty of the Rivers people.

In her keynote address, rights activist, Annkio Briggs, said the Ijaw nation forefathers like King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, Isaac Adaka Boro and others that fought for the rights of their descendants, foresaw the happenings of today and noted that it was now the responsibility of the people to safeguard and improve on what they hold in their custody.

Briggs emphasised that it would be a great disfavour if the current generation of the Ijaw nation does not do better than their forebears.

She commended those that stood with Rivers State since 2023 when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was sworn in, describing it as true Ijaw unity.

She extolled the qualities of the late Pa Edwin Clark, saying he always led from the front, preempting the oppressors of the Ijaws.

She also appreciated the INC for always standing for truth and justice, adding that any other Ijaw group outside the INC, particularly in Rivers, was only speaking for themselves and not for the Ijaw people.

The one-day stakeholders meeting was attended by prominent Ijaw leaders, including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the first military governor of Rivers State and current Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, another former governor of Rivers, Chief Rufus Ada-George, a former deputy governor of the state, Gabriel Tobi as well as a former deputy governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.

Others were Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali, notable traditional rulers from across Ijawland, president, Ijaw Youth  Council (IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri among others.