Withhold Rivers allocations, expect dire consequences, Ijaw blow hot over court judgment

Not always in want of threats against critical assets in the Niger Delta region when their rights are endangered, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned the Federal Government not to withhold the statutory allocations due to Rivers State in compliance with a High court judgement or brace up for dire consequences.

President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, made the threat during the 10th Anniversary of the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), Worldwide, held in Warri, Delta State, on Saturday.

It will be recalled that the High Court in Abuja had ruled that federal allocations to Rivers State local government areas should be halted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over constitutional breaches.

Professor Okaba, while speaking on the thorny issue, enjoined President Bola Tinubu to be careful with the handling and managing of the Rivers State crisis which, he said, was becoming provocative.

Okaba affirmed that if the alleged persistent and discriminative assault on Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues unchecked, “they will surely get what they want from Ijaw nation.”

According to him, “On a day like this, where Ijaw women have gathered, we need to also make some pronouncements on the state of the nation.

“Let me use this opportunity to advise the Federal Government, led by Bola Tinubu, to be very conscious with handling and managing the crisis in Rivers State.

“In the light of the High Court judgment stopping or renting statutory allocations to Rivers State,  INC considers that as very provocative to Niger Delta and it is also unconstitutional.

“If the Federal Government decides to use the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deny Rivers State and, by extension, Ijaw nation, of their statutory allocations, they will surely get what they want from Ijaw nation.

“We want to make it clear also to the entire world that if the persistent discriminative attack, insult, intimidation of the governor continues unchecked, there might be dire consequences.”

Undone, Professor Okaba said “Alamasiegha once said, ‘if you deny the Ijaw people, even if it is 50 percent of their God-given wealth, a day will come, a day will surely come when the Ijaws will revolt back,’ warning the Federal Government to tread cautiously with the River crisis.

He called on Ijaw brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers to remain calm in the face of the provocation, adding “Please, remain calm because, in the first place, this judgment will not stand the test of time.”

Profesor Okaba commended the IWC for being a support in the struggle to liberate the Ijaw nation, and urged members not to relent.

He also expressed appreciation for the achievements of the group in its empowerment, advocacy, mobilisation and educating their counterparts in the riverine as well as urban communities in the region.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs and Pere of Karabiri-Mein in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, His Highness Godspower Tam Oporoma, debunked insinuations, in some quarters, that Ijaw women were not allowed to speak on socio-politics and economics matters according to tradition.

He noted that in Ijaw culture, there were no norms or taboos where no woman can talk or comment on issues affecting them.

He charged the IWC members this: “Don’t dampen your spirits. You have a right of association as enshrined in the constitution.

“Nobody can exclude you from exhibiting your endowed skills in socio, political and economic affairs”, he added.

President of Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) Worldwide, Dr. Vivian Dabota Ige Elenwo, said the body was formed to bond together to stand up and talk strong, as well as ensure Ijaw women’s participation in socio-political and economic matters, among others.

She paid glowing tributes to the founder and pioneer of IWC, Mrs. Rosemary Aken John-Oduone for her foresight in midwifing the group to what it is now.

“We want to appreciate the founder and pioneer president, Mrs. Rosemary Aken John-Oduone for her unwavering dedication, leadership and foresight to lay the foundation for the success of this organisation”, she said.

Dr. Elenwo recounted the successes the body has made in the areas of empowerment, advocacy and mobilisation of Ijaw women across the country, and urged members to always unite and support their leaders.