Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, an ethnic group, has cried out that Rivers State is under military dictatorship due to the alleged self-interest of some state and presidential politicians, as Nigerians continue to react to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The IYC, through its Secretary General, Maobuye Nangi Obu, accused Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of the State, of breaking the law by suspending appointments of an elected governor in a statement released to reporters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The group claims that the state’s suspension of commissions and boards with defined terms is an affront to the rights of the Rivers people.

The organization claimed that the administrator’s recent acts demonstrated that he is purportedly carrying out Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s agenda, adding that the fight is for the state’s economic survival.

“It was President Thomas Jefferson who said we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men.

“The latest announcement by the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, suspending statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures in Rivers State is an affront on the rights of Rivers people and nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.

“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources.”

”It is now beyond doubt that the Administrator is merely a puppet executing the agenda of former Governor Nyesom Wike, who remains hell-bent on controlling the state and draining its wealth.”

The IYC said by “suspending the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Board Members, and Special Advisers, the Administrator has effectively crippled the state’s democratic governance, leaving Rivers State at the mercy of a few handpicked loyalists willing to do Wike’s bidding.

“This action has grave security implications. By creating disaffection and sidelining legitimate government officials, the Administrator is fuelling political instability and pushing Rivers State towards crisis. The people of Rivers State will not be deceived, this is not about governance; it is about consolidating power to continue the reckless looting of the state’s treasury.”

However, the Ijaw group condemned the alleged action of the sole administrator and “call on all Rivers people to stand against this blatant abuse of power. The state belongs to the people, not to a cabal of political opportunists seeking to milk it dry. Democracy must be restored, and Rivers people must not be silenced.”

They also demanded “an immediate reversal of this illegal suspension and a return to democratic governance”, saying that “Rivers State must not be turned into the personal estate of a single individual and his cronies”.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.