Gov Diri Pleads With Tinubu To Reconsider State Of Emergency In Rivers

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has once again urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and instead establish a committee to mediate the ongoing political crisis.

Speaking at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in Yenagoa on Wednesday, Diri emphasized that the crisis in Rivers could be resolved through dialogue. 

He also clarified that the Ijaw ethnic nationality was not in conflict with President Tinubu or the Federal Government according to a statement signed by his chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.

The governor called on the President and the National Assembly to form a committee of respected personalities to intervene and restore peace in Rivers.

“Again, I restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for the 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,” he said.

Governor Diri, who also chairs the South-South Governors’ Forum, noted that the forum had earlier appealed to the President to allow for dialogue among the disputing parties.

He further reaffirmed the Ijaw people’s commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress, stating that they had made immense sacrifices for the country’s stability. He warned against being drawn into conflicts orchestrated by individuals pursuing personal agendas.

“Our contributions—political, economic, and environmental—are undeniable. We should continue to advocate for 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,” he added.

INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, also criticized the emergency rule declaration, describing it as a violation of democratic principles and an assault on the people’s mandate. He decried the exclusion of the Ijaws from the governorship position in Rivers for over two decades, stressing that it was a constitutional issue rather than a partisan matter.

Renowned rights activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, echoed these sentiments, urging the Ijaw people to uphold the legacy of their forebears in the fight for justice. She commended those who had stood by Rivers State since Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s inauguration in 2023, hailing their unity as a testament to Ijaw solidarity.

The one-day meeting was attended by notable Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, former Rivers military governor King Alfred Diete-Spiff, former Rivers State governor Chief Rufus Ada-George, and traditional rulers from across Ijawland.