From Tony John, Port Harcourt
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 expressed 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 by the chairman, Livingstone Wechie; vice chairman, Ihunwo Obi-Wali, and general secretary, Stanley Worgu, recommended the need to restore democratic order in keeping with the consciousness and aspirations of Nigerians, particularly the Rivers people.
The leaders said: “Mr. President, the message you sent has been passed through your intervention; but, Rivers people must not suffer a short-lived 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 questionable state of emergency imposed upon a people who suffered both loss of lives and property, during the last general election that brought the President to power.
“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 rather than escalate the matter.”
The IPC said it was worried that Rivers people have been terribly traumatised by the resort to military rule in their state, which they escaped in 1999.
They said: “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 no doubt 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, the Ikwerre people are worried about the false image now created about our dear state, which has now led to serious capital flights, fear of uncertainty among citizens and 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 they voted for that should be accountable to the masses. All we want is a government we can call our own.”
The IPC 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 Tinubu.”