By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently put machineries in motion to explore peaceful resolution of the Rivers state logjam.
This is even as the leadership of Ijaw National Congress INC ,insisted that the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State represents a monumental assault on democracy and rule of law.
At an emergency stakeholders parley of the INC held at the Sani Abacha Hall of the Ijaw House in Yenagoa,the Bayelsa State Capital on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Governor Diri maintained that only dialogue can meaningful resolve the festering political impasse in Rivers State.
He appealed to President Tinubu to constitute a Committee of eminent Nigerians to interface with all the relevant actors in the crisis with a view to finding an enduring solution.
According to him, the task of the Committee should, also, include working towards restoring democratically elected and legally constituted Government in the State.
He noted that the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, contrary to what anybody and groups are peddling, are not in any way against the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to him, what is needed in Rivers State is not a State of Emergency, but a concerted peace effort.
“Again, I reinstate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers.
“I 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 constituted Government of Rivers State back to office.
“The South-south Governors Forum of which I am the 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 Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Ijaw Nation remain committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria, and as one of the major and largest ethnic groups outside the three other majority 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 our actions align with long-term goals, rather than short-term interests.
“Our contributions, politically, economically, and environmentally are undeniable.
“We should continue to advocate for justice, fairness, and inclusiveness within a united Nigeria.
“I urge all Ijaws, especially our youths, to exercise restraint, maintain peace and steer clear of actions that escalate tensions.
“Our future is best secured through engagement, dialogue and strategic partnerships”, Diri stated.
However, he cautioned against the temptation of anyone and groups mistaking their subscription to peace as cowardice.
“Let no one mistake our pacifist approach for cowardice. We are a people of indomitable spirit. forged by history, rich in courage and stamina”, he warned.
Earlier, the President of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, highlighted the systematic marginalization of the Ijaws in the political equation in Rivers State for the past 24 years.
According to him, the denial of Ijaws the Governorship position for this long is a fundamental challenge to the Nigerian system.
He reiterated his call on the President to reconsider the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers, and allow democratically officials discharge the mandates given to them by the good people of Rivers state.
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