…warns against ethnic colouration of political crisis
CHUKWUEBUKA OHIZU
The Indigenous lgbo Congress of Rivers State (l1C) has warned people vandalising economic facilities in Rivers State to concentrate on their own territories and avoid the Igbo speaking territories because such efforts will be resisted henceforth.
The group further warned people making rhetorics on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State to desist from giving it an ethnic colouration that may end up dividing the people of the state.
IIC in a statement signed and made available by its president, Engr. Chimenum Amadi said that it knows that the crisis is rooted in political dynamics, but shocked that it is now unfortunately been portrayed through a lens that emphasizes ethnic divisions.
The llC affirms its unwavering solidarity with any duly elected and constitutionally recognized governor of Rivers State, and pledged to support the individual who keeps the legitimate mandate of the people.
The group added it noted the fact that following rumours of impeachment, there were cases of vandalism of oil facilities, particularly the blowing up of the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Ogoni and the explosion of a pipeline at Ndoni and Eleme.
It said that it would be difficult to disconnect the unfortunate incidents from the earlier circulated threats and public declaration of some key figures and militant groups from a certain ethnic extraction whose threats and involvement stem from perceived ethnic ties with the Rivers State Governor.
The IIC further said that it is also alarming that these acts of vandalism have targeted territories beyond the ljaw/riverine territory, sparking fears that the Upland areas, especially the lgbo-speaking regions, may be under attack.
The group added these actions are not only a threat to the peace and stability of Rivers State but also pose a danger to the lives and properties of innocent citizens.
“The llC condemns these acts of violence and vandalism in the strongest terms possible. We appeal to all involved parties to engage in dialogue and pursue peaceful, lawful and constructive avenues in resolving their differences and to reject incitement to violence,” it said.
The IIC further said that if certain groups have chosen vandalism to express their demands, then they should carry out such within their territory and steer clear from the lgbo-speaking areas of the State.
“The notion that any group holds a monopoly on fierce confrontation is erroneous and will be challenged vigorously. The IIC is prepared to take all necessary measures to protect our communities from encroachment and vandalism.
“We will not tolerate any form of vandalism, encroachment, or malicious division instigated against any Igbo-speaking community in Rivers State or attempts to destabilize the peace of Rivers State.
“The lIC will go to any length to deter encroachment or vandalism in the lgbo territory in the State. The lgbo people of Rivers have accorded their mandate to the current administration and coexist peacefully with other communities within the state.”
The group said that the Rivers State Igbo speaking people have unequivocally endorsed the current administration and enjoy harmonious relations with other ethnic groups within the state.
IIC added it believes that through mutual respect, understanding and collaboration, all Rivers State people can navigate these challenges and emerge with a strengthened commitment to the wellbeing of all citizens of Rivers State.
“We urge all law-abiding citizens of Rivers State to remain calm and vigilant, while also calling on the authorities to take immediate action to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.”
The group further cautioned that the ongoing unfortunate narrative of labelling the ongoing political crisis as an ljaw versus Ikwerre conflict is an attempt to set the other ethnic groups against the Ikwerre Igbo clan.
IIC said that such narrative is not only misleading but also incites unnecessary discord among the diverse ethnic groups in Rivers State.
It further warned that those who capitalized on the crisis to be circulating what they termed the map of Rivers State with various ethnic groups, where they deliberately divided the Igbo speaking people of Rivers State into multiple ethnic groups, are deceiving themselves beyond measures.
IIC cautioned that all Igbo speaking clans in Rivers State from Ikwerre, Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni, Asa, Ndoki, Etche, Omuma, Ekpeye and Opobo should be recognized as Igbos and not balkanized into tiny ethnic groups, to shrink them into minority which they are not when grouped as Igbos.
The group said that those creating such a perspective should note that it is grossly inaccurate, as the lgbo ethnic group makes up the largest demographic within the state, and their socio-political influence is profound.
“We reject any narrative that seeks to pit one ethnic group against another and emphasize that unity is for the socio-economic progress of our state.
“We reject the insinuation that the lgbo-speaking groups in Rivers State are each separate totally distinct tiny minority groups, as portrayed in the unfortunate map being circulated, where several unrelated ethno-linguistic groups in the Riverine geo-cultural section of the state are lumped as one ethnic group, while mischievously ignoring the oneness and ethno-linguistic homogeneity of the Upland areas in Rivers State (excluding Ogoni and Eleme).
“Those behind the map in their unfortunate ethnic expansionism had even portrayed the Asa and Ndoki tribes of Oyigbo LGA, Whose Ukwa Kith and Kin is in Abia State, as part of the ljaw tribe, with the expansionist name “Aminadokiari”.
“Certain groups of aggrieved people, hiding behind ethnic forums, have been issuing threats to public peace in the state, in solidarity with the Governor, who is perceived as ljaw.”
IIC said that it is crucial to point out that both political figures involved in the crisis in question: Nyesom Wike and Sim Fubara, despite their perceived ethnic affiliations, originate from lgboid-speaking communities.
“While former Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike hails from the same Apara clan of Ikwerre land as the current Ohanézè Ndigbo Worldwide President General, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, Governor Fubara hails from Opobo, where the primary language spoken is the Ubani-Ndoki dialect of the Igbo language, despite an overbearing ljaw identity. This highlights the interconnectedness of our communities, regardless of political affiliations.”
IIC asserts that the present crisis should be envisioned as a dispute between political allies rather than an ethnic conflict.
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