From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Ijaw National Development Group (INDG) also known as Ijaw People’s Assembly (IPA) has condemned the alleged instigated leadership crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the move to impeach the State Governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, urging political actors involved to thread with caution.
According to the INDG, aside from the threat to the peace and security of Rivers State following the political brouhaha on Sunday, the people of the Niger Delta region are worried that Fubara , who was widely accepted during the last elections and has spent only five months in office is now a target of a political coup.
The President of the Ijaw National Development Group (Ijaw Peoples Assembly), Prof. Prosper Ayawei in a statement on Monday called on the stakeholders including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesome Wike to exercise restraint and settle any existing disagreement without throwing Rivers State into chaos.
According to the INDG, Rivers State which had become a good example of where democracy works with exemplary infrastructural projects under Wike should not be turned into a festering sore of violent clashes due to ego and greed.
“We are shocked that the political actors are out to destroy the achievements recorded in Rivers State.
“We call for caution and amicable settlement of issues that might have ignited the crisis. We urge the stakeholders in Rivers State to stand firm behind Governor Fubara against any anti-democratic forces. We call for peaceful settlement.”
The group also called on the Speaker and leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly to rescind its decision to suspend the Majority leader, Hon. Edison Ehie and notice of impeachment to Fubara, warning that the Ijaw Nation is watching the developments in Rivers and would not resist to protect the mandate handed to the Governor, who is an Ijaw man.