Ikwerre People’s Congress (IPC) worldwide, the foremost and apex socio-political organisation of Ikwerre ethnic nationality, has reviewed the current political impasse in Rivers state and expresses concerns over the wanton dismantling of the democratic structure in the state.
The congress, in an appeal to President Bola Tinubu demanded reversal of the state of emergency he declared in Rivers State.
Leadership of the IPC, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, signed by Livingstone Wechie (Chairman), Ihunwo Obi-Wali (Vice Chairman) and Stanley Worgu (Secretary-General),
recommended the need to restore democratic order in keeping with the consciousness and aspirations of Nigerians, particularly Rivers people.
The leadership stated: “Mr. President, the message you sent has been passed through your intervention; but, Rivers people must not suffer a shortlived democracy for any reason because we have paid our dues despite this political imbroglio.”
The Ikwerre people disagreed with the president over the constitutional justification of the suspension of the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and the Rivers State House of Assembly, “in a questioned state of emergency imposed upon a people who also suffered both loss of life and property during the last general election which brought His Excellency, the President to power as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“We believe that Mr. President is motivated by the aspiration of Nigerians on this matter and that he is committed to take steps to solve than escalate the matter.”
The IPC said it is worried that Rivers people have been terribly traumatised by the revert to military rule in their state, which they escaped in 1999.
The Ikwerres expressed: “This glaring impression that while other states are under a government they can call their own, we are rather subjected to a military system in our own state, should be a concern to our President. It is doubtless that we did not bargain for this unfortunate development and the innocent populace in Rivers should not be punished for it as in this circumstance.
“Whereas, as a people, we are unhappy with the unwarranted political feud among the two sides, Ikwerre people are worried about the false image now created about our dear state, which has now led to serious capital flights, fears of uncertainty among citizens, loss of investors’ confidence among others.
“Rivers people are very desperate to have their democratic rights restored, so they can enjoy the liberty of the democracy the voted for that should be accountable to the masses. All we want is a government we can call our own.”
The IPC, however, recommended that President Tinubu in his best wisdom, should as a statesman, graciously as soon as possible set up a high powered committee of eminent Nigerian leaders and stakeholders to resolve the needless dispute between the parties involved, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Governor Fubara.
“This is with a view to immediately restoring the democratic order in Rivers State in the best interest of Nigeria and for the better legacy of President Bola Tinubu.”
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