The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) called for restraint, warning those plotting to use the Supreme Court judgment to destabilize Rivers State to tread with caution.
Dr. Theophilus Alaye, the IYC President Worldwide, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, appraised the apex court verdict and faulted the grounds on which the jurists took some of their decisions.
He threatened that those threatening impeachment against governor Siminalayi Fubara be careful, saying any forceful attempt to remove him from office would be resisted by the IYC and other youths in the Niger Delta.
He said, “We found the Supreme Court nullification of the Rivers State local government elections very provocative and laughable, as other states equally relied on the 2023 INEC voters register to conduct local government elections.
“The verdict has confirmed our suspicion that the frequent boast of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that a tsunami will soon rock Rivers State shows that the apex court is working hand in glove with him to destroy the state.
“Rivers, as a major contributor to the national coffers, should not be starved of funds from their God-given natural endowment.
“We, therefore, urged the apex court to review the judgment because it has agitated the youths of Ijaw nation who have maintained peace in the Niger Delta and supported the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.”
In addition, the IYC Eastern Zone cautioned the Rivers Assembly not to plunge the state into bloodshed.
It threatened to oppose any attempt to overthrow Fubara’s government, threatening economic repercussions if their demands were ignored.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and signed by its chairman, Datolu Sukubo, and secretary, Tamunokuro Dango, the congress stated that it would oppose any attempt to undermine Fubara’s freely given mandate, especially given that it was aware of plans by some individuals to destabilize the state.
The statement read, “The Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, expresses deep concern over the current tense political situation in Rivers State, following the recent Supreme Court judgment nullifying the election of local government council chairmen.
“This decision has created an environment ripe for manipulation by those who do not have the best interests of Rivers State or the Ijaw nation at heart.
“We are aware of alarming plans by certain elements to destabilize Rivers State and undermine the mandate given to our elected officials.
“The purported 48-hour ultimatum issued to the governor by the defected Martin Amawhule-led House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget is a clear indication of an orchestrated effort to create chaos and potentially impeach the governor.
“This is not only an attack on our leadership but also an affront to the will of the Rivers people who have entrusted their governance to one of our own.”
The IYC stated that it would not stand by and allow detractors to steal Fubara’s mandate.
“We are committed to defending our rights and ensuring that the voices of the Ijaw people are heard and respected.
“We call upon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Security Adviser to intervene immediately and halt the ongoing madness that threatens to plunge Rivers State into an avoidable crisis.
“Such instability could have severe repercussions, not only for our state’s governance but also for crude oil production and energy security, which are vital to the national economy,” the statement added.
The Ijaw youths also stated that any attempt to stop Rivers allocation would cause hardship for innocent civil servants and reduce developmental project implementation by the state government.
“As Ijaw people, we will not fold our hands and allow the continued political marginalization of our own.
“If Rivers State is starved of its economic rights because of one who wants to monopolize Rivers State’s economy, we will also starve the economy of Nigeria,” the IYC warned.
