Because a decent, God-fearing Ijaw man in the person of Governor Siminialaiyi Fubara decided to leave the 2027 governorship race rather than shed blood in Rivers State, there has been a rash of Ijaw-baiting and shaming.
I have read heaps of articles by people who are asking why Ijaw people are “keeping quiet” while former Governor Wike puts Rivers State in his pocket.They attribute sheer cowardice to Ijaw People in Rivers State in what they term “Ethnic” domination in the politics of Rivers State.Surprisingly some of those who bandy such theories are Ijaw people who don’t seem to know any better.I think now is the time to set the record straight.
Wike’s current power is actually Federal Might left in his hands by President Tinubu who sees him as a weapon of mass destruction in the 2027 race against Atiku and Obi.No Ijaw person should take any rash action in Rivers State over political developments.You don’t want to see armed military men raiding our communities.
Rivers State does not belong to only Ijaw people.If there is a reason to fight,let everyone step out.
Again,Ijaw is not all about war.As former President Goodluck Jonathan and now Fubara have shown us,there is indeed “a time of peace and a time of war”(Eccl 3:8 b).We don’t have to prove anything to a few misguided people.The world already knows what Ijaw people can do.
I might add that since this is the era of politics, the onus is on the Ijaw politicians in Rivers State to raise their voices if they feel something is amiss.If they and politicians from all other parts of Rivers State decide to keep mum because of their bellybuttons, so be it.
MY PLEA: I appeal to our people, especially our Youths not to let any person goad them into any rash action.Sometimes we have to swallow a few bitter pills when our fingers get bitten by those our Mamas and Papas sold Rivers State to for raw cash.The truth is that as things stand, President Tinubu’s State capture has cornered Rivers State too and we must be creative in seeking ways of liberating our state, instead of reacting with shallow emotions.
For now our dear brother and former Governor Wike can pick Governor, Deputy Governor,Speaker and all Commissioners from one family in Obio-Akpor LGA.This the hour of his power(Luke 22:53).
Let me hold my peace on other matters which I deem too sensitive for this forum.As our people have said:”Them no dey open crocodile Belle where small children dey”.
Thank you very much our dear Govo, Siminialaiyi Fubara, for placing our lives above your ambition.
You have displayed another facet of how brave an Ijaw can be. VICTOR BURUBO who wrote from Port Harcourt is a former Publicity Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress, INC