BREAKING: Diri Urges Tinubu to Reconsider Emergency Rule, Calls for Dialogue in Rivers
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and instead, set up a committee to reconcile the different parties to the dispute in the state.
Also, the immediate past chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, who were recently sacked by the Supreme Court Judgement, on Wednesday, paid a solidarity visit to the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, at his private residence, in Port Harcourt.
However, Diri, who contended that the Rivers crisis could be resolved through dialogue, emphasised that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Bayelsa governor made the appeal on Wednesday at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), which was held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
He, therefore, urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to immediately intervene and restore peace and bring the legally constituted government back to office in Rivers.
“Again, I restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers State. I urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office.
“The South-South Governors’ Forum, of which I am chairman, had urged the president to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties.
“However, let me be unequivocal. The Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to him, the Ijaw people remain committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria and as one of the major and largest ethnic groups, alongside other ethnic nationalities, had made immense sacrifices for the country’s unity and prosperity.
“Today, we must again draw from the fountain of wisdom. It is imperative that we resist being manipulated and refuse to be drawn into a conflict orchestrated by desperate people propagating their agenda.
“We must approach every situation with discernment, ensuring that our actions align with long-term goals rather than short-term interests.
“Our contributions — political, economic, and environmental — are undeniable. We should continue to advocate justice, fairness, and inclusivity within a united Nigeria.
“I urge all Ijaws, especially our vibrant youths, to exercise restraint, maintain peace, and steer clear of actions that could escalate tensions. Our future is best secured through engagement, dialogue, and strategic partnerships.
“Let us continue to build a harmonious and prosperous Ijaw nation and, by extension, the Niger Delta. However, while we embrace peace, let no one mistake our pacifist approach for cowardice.
“We are a people of indomitable spirit, forged by history, rich with courage and stamina. Our heritage is outstanding and we will defend our collective dignity against any form of denigration.”
The INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, appreciated Ijaw men and women of good conscience, Niger Deltans, Nigerians and the international community for their unflinching support for justice and equity in the ongoing Rivers political crisis.
He stressed that the position of emergency rule and suspension of any governor by President Tinubu, under whatever guise, constituted a great assault on the principles of justice, democratic governance and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.
He noted that the infractions on rights of the Ijaws in Rivers, who had been denied the governorship position for over 24 years, was not a partisan issue but a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that guides the rights and economy of every Nigerian citizen.
Rights activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, said the Ijaw nation forefathers like King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, Isaac Adaka Boro and others that fought for the rights of their descendants, foresaw the happenings of today and noted that it was now the responsibility of the people to safeguard and improve on what they hold in their custody.
Ms. Briggs emphasised that it would be a great disfavour if the current generation of the Ijaw nation did not do better than their forebears, adding those who stood with Rivers State since 2023 when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was sworn in, were true Ijaw.
