By Tgnews
The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-political body of the Ijaw people, has issued a blistering warning to political actors in Rivers State and beyond: any move to undermine Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s tenure could plunge the Niger Delta into chaos and jeopardize Nigeria’s oil production.
In a fiery statement delivered on Tuesday, INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba declared, “If Gov. Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production.”
The statement, which has sent shockwaves through the region, comes amid escalating political tensions in Rivers State following a controversial Supreme Court ruling on the state’s ongoing crisis. The ruling, which reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has been met with fierce opposition from the INC.
If Gov. Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production
Okaba lambasted the decision, arguing that it fails to recognize the historical sacrifices of the Ijaw people in shaping Rivers State’s governance and threatens to destabilize a region critical to Nigeria’s economic lifeline.
“The Ijaw nation, with over 40 million people worldwide, will not sit idly by while our place in Nigerian politics is undermined,” Okaba asserted.
He emphasized that the INC has tirelessly worked to maintain peace in the Niger Delta, a region that accounts for the bulk of Nigeria’s oil output. Recent efforts have led to a notable rise in oil production, bolstering national revenue.
However, Okaba cautioned that this fragile stability could unravel if Governor Fubara—a riverine Ijaw leader and the first of his kind in decades—is ousted by what he described as “political elites” bent on marginalizing the Ijaw people.
The INC’s warning carries significant weight, given the Niger Delta’s history of unrest. Past disruptions in the region, including militancy and pipeline vandalism, have cost Nigeria billions in lost oil revenue. Okaba’s veiled reference to potential “disruptions in the petroleum industry” has raised alarm bells among analysts, who see the statement as a rare and bold line in the sand from the Ijaw leadership.
disruptions in the petroleum industry
Fubara’s tenure has been under scrutiny since his fallout with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The Amaewhule-led Assembly, widely seen as loyal to Wike, has been accused of plotting to impeach the governor—a move the INC has vowed to resist with “every pint of blood in our veins.” Okaba urged Fubara to work with all arms of government in a spirit of cooperation but made it clear that any attempt to truncate his administration would meet fierce opposition.
The INC’s stance has ignited a firestorm of reactions. Supporters of Fubara hail the group’s resolve as a necessary defense of Ijaw interests, while critics argue it risks escalating an already volatile situation. Political observers note that the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, now faces a delicate balancing act: ensuring stability in Rivers State without alienating a region vital to the nation’s economy.
peace and prosperity of the region may hinge on the fate of one man’s leadership
As the clock ticks, the Niger Delta stands at a crossroads. Prof. Okaba’s words hang heavy in the air—a stark reminder that the peace and prosperity of the region may hinge on the fate of one man’s leadership. For now, all eyes are on Governor Fubara and the Amaewhule-led Assembly, as the nation braces for what could be a defining moment in Nigeria’s political and economic future.
