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Ijaw Leaders to Meet, Consider Status Following Rivers State Emergency Rule
By Divine Perezide
The recent state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has reignited discussions among the Ijaw ethnic group summon an extraordinary expanded Executive Council Meeting in Izon-Ware, Yenagoa. The meeting is billed to hold on March 26, 2025.
Speaking to Vanguard, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), expressed the Ijaw people’s disappointment over the development, describing it as yet another blow to their community.
> “For Ijaw people, we are not too happy because we see this as another slap on us. But again, our position will be deliberated upon in a wider stakeholders’ meeting that will be convened later.”
According to him, this upcoming meeting will allow the Ijaw people to assess their participation in Nigeria’s political structure and explore possible paths toward self-determination.
Criticism of Tinubu’s Decision
Okaba argued that the state of emergency was premature and that President Tinubu missed an opportunity to heed public calls to address the actions of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
> “We say it is hasty because the President has so much opportunity to leverage on the calls made by Nigerians from all quarters to call his minister, Nyesom Wike, to order.”
He further accused Wike of being the main instigator of the political crisis in Rivers State, citing statements in which the minister allegedly vowed to obstruct Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration unless his demands were met.
> “Secondly, while Wike himself has been the antagonist, he had boldly stated that he would make governance impossible for the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in as much as he does not dance to his tune.
“In a recent statement credited to him, he (Wike) said the two conditions he must meet are: ‘Allow him to control all the LGAs in Rivers State, and that he (Fubara) should sign an agreement that he would not contest in 2027.’”
Okaba described Wike’s actions as an attempt to dominate state resources and turn Rivers State into his personal domain, warning that the people would ultimately suffer the consequences.
Call for Wike’s Removal
Okaba criticized President Tinubu for allowing Wike to remain in office while Governor Fubara was sacked, calling it an unfair and imbalanced decision.
> “I said it is lopsided—why will you leave Wike and sack Sim? The best thing is to remove everybody who played a role in this.
“Wike has to be sacked, and all the federal appointees from the state also have to be sacked because if you do not sack them, they will use their positions to perpetrate more crises and create more advantageous roles for themselves.”
He also argued that Wike had long been preparing for an emergency rule scenario, using political and judicial maneuvers to trigger chaos in Rivers State.
> “The other issue in this state of emergency is that we have seen right from the beginning that the declaration was one of the options Wike was looking at. He felt if the judiciary cannot remove him quickly; if the House of Assembly could not take him off; then the next option is to create a chaotic situation so that an emergency can be imposed on the state.”
Legal and Political Reactions
Miakpor Emiaso, a retired Delta State Customary Court President, called the emergency declaration an unfortunate but inevitable decision. However, he pointed out political bias in the President’s speech.
> “Apart from a few underlying misgivings that I have, it was inevitable. I mean that something had to give way. The way the gladiators in Rivers State were going, we could not continue like that, ridiculing the entire government apparatus and even embarrassing the judiciary as a fallout.
“My misgivings are one; the president’s language declaring the state of emergency has some subtle political bias. If you noticed, the president never mentioned the name of the speaker in the broadcast, nor did he refer to the well-known external influence on the House of Assembly, which is the origin of this crisis.”
He further noted that Wike’s influence over Rivers politics had not been addressed in the emergency rule decision.
> “As it is now, the state of emergency seems to have given thumbs up for vaunting godfatherism because you could say that now that the president has gone this way, he has not mentioned the external influence, especially Wike, who is the origin of all these. This shows that he has a bias that he needs to cure.
“If the President wants to be viewed as fair, he should move Wike from where he is now; otherwise, Wike will not keep quiet. He will try to reach the administrator to influence him in one way or another.”
Additionally, he criticized the six-month duration of the emergency rule, arguing that it was excessive, especially given that a retired military officer had been appointed to oversee the state.
> “Again, I say that the six-month state of emergency is excessive. It is too long, especially when you drafted a retired military officer to run the state as an administrator.”
IYC’s Reaction to the Emergency Rule
Dr. Chris Ekyor, former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, expressed shock over the declaration, suggesting that it made the President appear as if he was acting on Wike’s directives.
> “The state of emergency came to me as a rude shock. It gives the impression that the president is answerable to his minister.”
He also questioned the legality of the 27 lawmakers’ defection and its implications under the Electoral Act.
> “I’m concerned about how the judges ruled that the 27 members are legitimate members of the House after defecting and breaching the law. The real problem in Nigeria is the court delivering fair justice.”
According to Ekyor, if the judiciary had acted impartially, the Rivers crisis would have been resolved long before escalating to this level.
He further condemned Wike’s alleged disrespect toward the Ijaw people.
> “Wike left the issues and threatened the entire Ijaw people over a mere disagreement with his candidate, who became governor of Rivers State. How does that concern the rest of the Ijaw people?
“He insulted Ijaw in Abuja at a media parley. Then he came to the heart of Ijaw land, shot at our women and children with tear gas, and further insulted us by asking, ‘How many dem dey?’”
Ekyor emphasized that the Ijaw people had deliberately avoided responding with violence to prevent further escalation, suggesting that Wike had manipulated events to push for emergency rule.
> “We did not respond with violence to allow peace to reign, knowing that his goal was to cause the president to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.”
Comparing Past Precedents
Ekyor compared Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers crisis to past instances where no state of emergency was declared despite serious conflicts.
> “President Tinubu rebelled against the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, between 2003 and 2007, as the governor of Lagos State. No state of emergency was declared on him. Under President Yar’Adua, Atlas Cove was blown in 2009; no state of emergency in Lagos?”
He also questioned the reasoning behind blaming Governor Fubara for recent security incidents, suggesting that the Joint Task Force (JTF) should have been able to prevent such occurrences.
> “How did the president conclude that Fubara is behind the explosions in Rivers State? Why does he not think it is those fighting him? Is there no Joint Task Force, JTF, securing the pipelines anymore? Why is the government spending heavily on pipeline security? Is there any breakdown of law and order in the state to warrant what the president did?”
With tensions rising, Ijaw leaders have vowed to continue discussions on their future in Nigeria and the possibility of self-determination.
By Warefa Pereke.
April 2, 2025.
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Iduwini Voice Newspaper, Dr. Bibaikefie Clintin Peretengboro, has extended a sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all donors, attendees, and well-wishers who contributed to the resounding success of the newspaper’s unveiling ceremony.
The highly anticipated event, which took place on March 29, 2025, at the prestigious MBB Event Center, Refinery Road Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria, marked a significant milestone in the history of Iduwini Voice Newspaper.
Dr. Peretengboro expressed deep gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations that supported the newspaper’s launch. “We are overwhelmed with joy and appreciation for the outpouring of support we received from our donors, attendees, and well-wishers,” Dr. Peretengboro said. “Your contributions, whether financial, moral, or otherwise, have been invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful.”
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief also extended special greetings to the following persons:
Chief Dr. Julius Takeme JP. (PhD), Chairman, Burutu LGA, Hon. Julius Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President Ijaw National Congress, Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade, DG. Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Pastor Adonis Osarobo, the Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian church, Comrade Newworld Endoro, Chairman, Odimodi Community, Hon. Dennis Yenbri Bibaikefie, Mr. Akin Benikrukru, PIA Chairman, Iduwini Host Community Development Board, Comrade Isaiah Tamaraunimi Ingo, SA to the NDDC Chairman, and the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), for their tireless efforts in promoting the newspaper’s launch.
Dr. Peretengboro also thanked the organizers, volunteers, and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the event.
Iduwini Voice Newspaper is committed to providing accurate, timely, and engaging content to its readers, while promoting the values of fairness, justice, and equality. With the support of its donors, attendees, and well-wishers, the newspaper is set to make a meaningful impact in the region.
Again, we at Iduwini Voice extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported the newspaper’s launch. We look forward to continuing to serve our readers and the clan with integrity, professionalism, and dedication,” Dr. Bibaikefie concluded.
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Guest Article: The Battle for Nigeria’s Oil Security – Exposing the Forces Undermining National Revenue & the Tompolo Factor
By Tosan Blessing
Long before the conspiracy of evil men led EFCC to declare Tompolo wanted over a case the EFCC could not directly pursue, a case where the facts in issue revolves around the ownership of the land upon which the Nigerian Maritime University was built for which the federal Executive council paid a paltry 13 billion out of a projected 26billion being a buy over of Mieka Diving institute, propety of Tompolo, which property became part of the charter facility of the Nigerian Maritime University, Tompolo and some itsekiri elements were the ones the pipeline security contract was given. Soon after in the unwarranted and cynical rage of the then Hon Minister of Transportation, the contract was pulled off Tompolo and given to one of the APC ilks known for circumvention and volte face characteristics. Once this company this guy represents took over it became business as usual. Even the companys MD/CEO visited Tompolo and said he was going to offer him 900m as part of his commitment to rein in him into what they were doing in the oil river but known for being averse to greed, Tompolo refused, telling that company’s MD/CEO to go ahead with his job, that they are brothers. No one raised the issue of the scope of works given to that company then. Under the watch of that company over 80 percent of oil revenue went into private pockets. At this time the nations foreign reserves began to deplete. The sub national governments began to live by Paris loans refund. No Nigerian or CIvil societies organisations questioned the activities of that interlocutor survellance company. It took Mr Bashir Jamoh a then DG of NIMASA, even in the seeding congruence of losing his job to allege that the new company engaged in pipeline protection for NNPC and by extension ancillary revenue sourcing for NIMASA had not been able to meet its projected revenue ceiling. He insisted that a previous Messrs Global West run by Tompolo and others, evilly removed from the job by the conspiracy of evil power brokers in government then was doing better and collecting thrice as much to breaking its given fiscal ceiling. The NNPC board ruffled by the alarm coming from a government agency announced it was taking its part of the job of pipeline surveillance from that company. It was at this instance given the energy emergency, that Tantita came on a national rescue and in quick raids it conducted even against the open aversion for its operation by some elements of the military, the nation is beginning to see the results- illegal pipelines here and there have been toppled, arrest and decommissioning of bunkering vessels, sacking of kpofire artesanal activities, and other evil grandstanders running kiti kiti kata kata. Now that oil revenue has peaked the evil profiteers have re emerged and in the name of legal actions are asking for an order mandamus for Tantita to produce the scope of its assignment. I argue that Tantita has no business with any third party intruder on the job it got freehold from the NNPCL that was publicly quoted and bidded for. Any one asking for such spurious order should approach the NNPCL. I further argue that if God cannot manage his own people in Egypt but ensured all of them died in a difficult journey through the wilderness, the presidency needs to go after these evil men who ensured this countrys export output had remained at a perilous margin with concomitant effect on the country’s GDP and growth economics to clear their doubts of their evil demeanours everywhere and their accomplices. I think if the government can summon the will to do this it will checkmate this errant attitude of criminals who still want to ensure that the Nigerian State remain rentier.
The 57th Boro Day 2025 Central Zone Planning Committee has officially rolled out the schedule of events for this year’s celebration. The announcement was made by the chairman of the planning committee, Evangelist Parkins Ogede, following the committee’s maiden meeting held in Yenagoa, on Sunday 30th Match 2025.
According to the chairman, this year’s Boro Day Central Zone celebrations will serve as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw people. He emphasized that the events are in line with the Central Zone’s theme: “Our Heritage, Our Pride- Boro Lives on”
Scheduled Events
Day 1: Tuesday, 13th May 2025 – Boat Regatta & Wrestling
• BOAT REGATTA COMPETITION
• Participants: The 8 LGAs in the Central Zone & Abua-Odual
• Time: 10 AM
• Venue: Ox-Bow Lake, Yenagoa, BYS
• Prizes: Cash rewards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
• WRESTLING MATCH
• Featuring two top wrestlers from Ijaw Nation and their supporters
• Time: 5 PM
• Venue: Kaiama Town
Day 2: Wednesday, 14th May 2025 – CULTURAL DISPLAY INTER LGA COMPETITION
• Participants: The 8 LGAs in the Central Zone & Abua-Odual
• Time: 11 AM
• Venue: Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, BYS
• Prizes: Cash rewards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
Day 3: Thursday, 15th May 2025 – BORO MEMORIAL LECTURE, DINNER AND AWARD NIGHT.
• Venue: Golden Tulip Hotel, Onopa, Yenagoa
• Time: 2 PM
MEMORIAL FOOTBALL MATCH: IYC National Executivies/Central Zone Vs Clans in Central Zone
Time: 8am
Day 4: Friday, 16th May 2025 – BORO DAY PROCESSION PROPER
The Central Zone Planning Committee urges all participants and attendees to prepare for an exciting and memorable Boro Day 2025.