IYC disowns anti-Wike statement, warns divisive elements 

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, has disassociated itself from an unauthorised statement attacking the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and claiming that the governor has no rights to stop violent protests in Rivers.

IYC in a document signed on Thursday by its President, Deacon Timothy Igbifa, said the anti-Wike statement never originated from the council and that its content did not represent the true position of the IYC.

The council insisted that the contents of the anti-Wike’s statement were the opinions of the person, who issued it and warned some persons sponsored by selfish politicians against using the name of the IYC to present personal opinions.

The council said it was disingenuous for anybody to suggest that a governor, who is the chief security officer of a state lacked powers to stop any agitation capable of causing troubles or crisis in a state.

The statement said: “The council at no time authorised the statement, which tried to belittle the Rivers State Governor, downplay his powers and create an impression that the IYC is on a collision course with Governor Nyesom Wike.

“We listened carefully to the governor when he received the Sole Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Effiong Akwa, who paid him a courtesy visit on February 2nd, 2021.

“Wike specifically said that the NDDC was not the birthright of any ethnic nationality (including his Ikwere ethnic group). The governor also said that he would no longer tolerate protest capable of causing problems and crisis in the state.

“The Governor of Rivers State is not and will not be against genuine and non-violent protest any day any time. The council makes bold to say that the IYC is not at war with the Rivers State Government.

“The governor’s remarks were in line with the position of the IYC’s leadership that the NDDC belongs to the entire Niger Delta region. It was also in harmony with the resolve of the council not to heat up the polity and destabilise the region with unnecessary politically motivated protests, which can degenerate to violence.

“We had earlier said that the council would adopt other means of peaceful agitation to actualize our objectives while protest could be deployed as the final card on the table. Even if at any time we agree as a council to protest, we must consult all stakeholders including governors and make our intentions known to security agencies.

“Therefore, we find it preposterous, disrespectful, unwarranted and dishonourable for anybody to try to twist and personalise Governor Wike’s remarks, which at best should have been viewed as a piece of advice from a critical stakeholders.

The statement further explained that Wike and other governors in the region remained critical partners in the region alongside the Ministers and others.

“The Peter Timothy Igbifa-led IYC will continue to work with all the governors of the region, other ethnic nationalities and leaders from across the Niger Delta to achieve the mandate of the IYC in the overall interest of the Ijaw nation.

“IYC cannot operate in isolation. And before we roll out any action plan that can affect other ethnic nationalities in the region, we must engage, consult and bring them to the same page as part of our bridge-building approach”, the statement said.

It further warned politicians trying to sow a seed of discord and create division in the IYC through some disloyal officials of the council, who lacked respect for due process and constituted authority, to steer clear of the body.