Advert
Communique Issued After the Emergency Expanded National Executive Council Meeting of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on the Political Crisis in Rivers State.
Held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Izon-Ware, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Preamble
1. An emergency expanded meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) was convened to discuss critical issues affecting the ljaw people, with a particular focus on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including NEC members,leaders of the National Representatives Council, representatives from the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Eders (CITRE), Zonal and Chapter leaders of the INC, affiliate Ijaw organisations, past INC President s and other respected Ijaw leaders.
2. The session, presided over by the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, began with a moment of silence in honour of Chief, Sen., Dr., Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the former Chairman of the INC Board of Trustees, who passed away on February 17th, 2025. During his opening remarks, Prof. Okaba urged attendees to remain objective and non-partisan in their discussions, emphasizing that the resolutions reached would have a significant impact on the Ijaw Nation and Rivers State.
After extensive deliberations, the following observations and resolutions were made:
Observations
1. The Ijaw people host a major portion of Nigeria’s oil and Gas assets, yet they continue to face political marginalization and economic neglect. Additionally, the Ijaws suffer the exploration and exploitation without commensurate benefits.
2. Historically, Ijaw ancestors played a crucial role in both the foundations of Nigeria as the first tribe to arrive here and in Nigeria’s struggle for independence. Ijaws took the lead in actively fighting for the creation of Rivers State as well. As such, the Ija people remain key stakeholders in the development of both Rivers State and Nigeria.
3. Over the years, the Ijaw people have supported the emergence of governors from other ethnic groups in Rivers State, including Dr. Peter Odili (Ndoni), Sir Celestine Omehia (Ikwerre), Hon. Barr. Rotimi Amaechi (Ikwerre), and Barr. Nyesom Wike (Ikwerre). Notably, former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Dame Patience Jonathan played a crucial role in Wike’s rise to power.
4. The Ijaw people have always stood behind past governors throughout their tenures, ensuring their successful completion of two-tenure administrations without external interference.
5. While acknowledging Barr. Nyesom Wike’s role in the election of Gov. Siminilayi (Ijaw), the INC, urged Wike to reciprocate the goodwill by supporting Fubara’s administration, just as Ijaws had backed him during his tenure.
6. The ongoing political conflict between Barr. Nyesom Wike and Gov. Siminilayi Fubara is unwarranted and has hindered peace, stability, and development in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. The crisis has resulted in loss of lives and destruction of properties worth hundreds of millions in naira.
Resolutions
The meeting, therefore, resolves as follows:
1. Gov. Siminilayi Fubara is a legitimate leader of Rivers State, and to the best of the INC’s knowledge, he has done nothing to justify the level of harassment and intimidation he is currently facing. Despite numerous political distractions, Gov. Fubara has made significant strides in increasing state revenue and implementing impactful infrastructure projects within two years in office. The INC fully supports him during these challenging times.
2. The INC appreciates the overwhelming support from Rivers people of different ethnic backgrounds, including Ikwerre, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Ogba, Etche, Ndoni, and Egbema, who have stood by Governor Fubara throughout this crisis. This solidarity reinforces the fact that the political turmoil is not an ethnic conflict and that the Ijaw Nation is not declared hostilities against any individual or ethnic group. The INC remains committed to peace, unity, and the overall stability of Rivers State and Nigeria.
3. The INC strongly warns that any attempts to remove Governor Fubara from office or disrupt his administration by any means is an affront on the over 45 million Ijaws across the world, which could lead to severe consequences beyond the control of the Ijaw National leadership.
4. The INC expresses gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his initial interventions in the Rivers State political crisis and urges him to intensify efforts to restore peace and order in the state.
5. The INC also commends Governor Fubara for his efforts towards complying with the dictates of the Supreme Court so far and urges all parties to do their part to speedily resolve the crisis.
Conclusion
The INC remains steadfast in its commitment to the stability and progress of Rivers State, the Ijaw Nation, and Nigeria as a whole.
Long live Rivers State!
Long live the Ijaw Nation!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Signed:
Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba
INC President.
By Tama Peretengboro
The Chairman, Waterways and Land Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu, and the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro will lead dignitaries at the 57th Boro Day Celebration organised by the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone.
While Chief Boro will oversee the memorial event as Chairman of the Day, Dr. Otuaro will stand in as Special Guest of Honour.
The event themed ‘The Genesis of the 12 Days Revolution Struggle: Our Pains and Gains in Retrospect’ is slated for Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Tunde Smooth Playground, along NPA Expressway, Warri, Delta State.
Activities include a vibrant procession showcasing the spirit and resilience of the Ijaw people together with an insightful symposium reflecting on the legacy of the 12 Days Revolution.
The IYC Western Zone, in collaboration with the 2025 Boro Day Committee, uses this medium to invite all clans, youth bodies, critical stakeholders, and concerned parties to join us as we celebrate and reflect on the impact of Boro.
Tare Magbei
Information Officer, IYC Western Zone
Secretary, 57th Boro Day Committee, IYC Western Zone
By Admin
Burutu, Delta State – The Executive Chairman of Burutu local Government Area, High chief Dr. Julius Takeme(JP),PhD, has extended an open invitation to all Nigerians to unite with the people of Burutu in paying their final respects to the revered Ijaw patriarch, Pa. Sen. Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
Dr.Takeme assured the public of Burutu’s readiness to receive all guests with warmth and dignity throughout the duration of the funeral events. He emphasized that the Burutu people are fully prepared to host dignitaries, mourners, and will-wishers who will gather to honour the life and legacy of the Elder Statesman.
These the Burutu LGA Chairman said while taking an on-tge-spot assessment of the arena in Kiagbodo on May 10, 2025.
Iduwinivoice had earlier reported that the week-long funeral ceremonies for the respected southern and middle belt leader commenced since May 7, 2025 in Abuja, will climax on May 12 before final interment on May 13. And come to a close on May 17 with a Thanksgiving service.
As part of the official plans, Pa. Clark’s body is scheduled to be flown from Abuja to Yenagoa on Monday, may 12, where it will make a ceremonial stop at the iconic Izon ware (Ijaw House). From there, the remains will be transported to his residence in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri, for further tributes.
The final journey will take the body to Kiagbodo town in Burutu local Government Area for traditional and social wake-keeping ceremonies, culminating in his interment on Tuesday, May 13 2025.
Pa. Edwin Clark, know for his towering influence in Nigerian politics and advocacy for the rights of the Niger Delta and other oppressed people, is being remembered nationwide for his enduring legacy of leadership and service.
By Prof. Binebai
In the pantheon of Nigerian legends, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark stands as a colossus, his presence casting a long shadow over the landscape of Nigeria’ s history. Like a mighty baobab tree, his roots dug deep into the earth, nourished by the rich soil of his convictions. His voice, a thunderclap that shook the foundations of power, echoed through the corridors of time, a clarion call to justice and righteousness.
As a titan of Nigerian politics, Chief Clark’s stature was imposing, his gaze piercing, and his words imbued with the weight of wisdom. He strode through the treacherous waters of Nigerian politics with the certainty of a man who knew his purpose, leaving in his wake a trail of transformative impact. His was a life that defied the limits of mortality, his legacy a burning ember that would ignite generations to come.
Like the great River Niger, which flows through the heart of our nation, Chief Clark’s life was a strong evidence of the power of perseverance and determination. He navigated the twists and turns of Nigeria’s tumultuous history with the skill of a seasoned navigator, always keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon of a better tomorrow. His was a journey marked by courage,conviction, and an unbending commitment to the principles of justice and equality.
In Nigerian politics, Chief Kiagbodo Clark was a mythical figure, a demigod whose exploits would be told and retold for generations to come. His name became synonymous with wisdom, integrity, and statesmanship, a ray of hope in a world beset by darkness and despair. His legacy would inspire countless others to follow in his footsteps, striving to make a difference in the lives of their fellow human beings.
As the sun sets on his mortal coil, Chief Clark’s spirit remains, a shining presence that continues to guide and inspire. His voice, though silenced, still echoes through the chambers of our collective memory, reminding us of the power of conviction and the importance of standing up for what is right. His life was a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for greatness, a flame that would burn brightly for generations to come.
In the annals of Nigerian history, Chief Clark’s name would be engraved in letters of gold, a signature of his enduring legacy. His was a life that would be celebrated, his achievements revered, and his memory cherished. As a nation, we would continue to draw inspiration from his remarkable journey, striving to emulate his example of leadership, wisdom, and courage.
As we bid farewell to this titan of Nigerian politics and the foremost Ijaw nationalist, we take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy would live on, a guiding light that would illuminate the path to a brighter future. Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark may have left us, but his spirit remains a powerful reminder of the impact one man can have on the lives of many. His was a life that would be remembered for generations to come, a shining example of what it means to live a life of purpose, conviction, and service to humanity.