Governor Diri Calls for Dialogue to Resolve Rivers Crisis, Urges President Tinubu to Reconsider Emergency Declaration.
Governor Diri Calls for Dialogue to Resolve Rivers Crisis, Urges President Tinubu to Reconsider Emergency Declaration.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri,
has reiterated his call for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Speaking at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in Yenagoa, Governor Diri emphasized the need for dialogue and negotiation to resolve the crisis, rather than resorting to emergency measures. He appealed to President Tinubu and the National Assembly to constitute a committee of eminent personalities to intervene and restore peace in Rivers State.
The governor, who chairs the South-South Governors’ Forum, noted that the forum had previously called on President Tinubu to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties involved. He emphasized that the Ijaw ethnic nationality is not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Governor Diri’s call for dialogue was echoed by the Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, who condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an assault on democratic governance and the people’s mandate. Prof. 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.
Rights activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, commended the Ijaw people for their unity and solidarity in the face of the crisis, noting that the current generation has a responsibility to safeguard and improve on the legacy of their forebears. She emphasized that it would be a great disfavour if the current generation of the Ijaw nation does not do better than their forebears.
The meeting was attended by prominent Ijaw leaders, including Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the first military governor of Rivers State and current Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, another former governor of Rivers, Chief Rufus Ada-George, a former deputy governor of the state, Gabriel Tobi, as well as a former deputy governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Others in attendance were Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali, notable traditional rulers from across Ijawland, President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri, among others.
