INC dares Wike on Fubara’s impeachment, demands apology

•FG courting trouble, Supreme Egbesu Assembly warns

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has dared Nyesom Wike to go ahead with impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and witness the dire consequences that would follow.

It also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and demand an apology from the Minister over his public statements about the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Similarly, the Supreme Egbesu Assembly has warned President Tinubu not to ignore security briefings on the Rivers State situation in the economic interest of the country.

  The INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba in a statement reacting to Wike’s media chat noted that the issue at stake is the resources of Rivers State.

According to him, Fubara’s adversaries are angry because he has blocked their access to the commonwealth of Rivers people.

Okabo, while describing Fubara as a hero for being on the side of the people protecting their interest, pointed out that the attempt to give what is happening in the state an ethnic colouration is to whip up sentiment against the governor.

He stated that Wike could do all that he was doing because he had the tactic support of the Presidency, warning however that the Ijaws would not be intimidated.

‘’Mr President’s support for Wike translates to, the Nigerian State undermining the worth and contributions of the Ijaw nation to national growth.”

The statement further urged Tinubu to make a clear choice between supporting the Ijaw people, who have backed his administration, and standing by Wike, whose actions have caused significant offense.

The INC warned that failure to address the issue could lead to a withdrawal of their support for the president.

The INC also accused Wike of boasting that he enjoys Tinubu’s backing and can act without consequences.

While the group expressed doubt about Wike’s claims, they stated that if the minister is not held accountable for his words, it would confirm that he indeed has the president’s support.

Meanwhile, the Supreme leader of SEA, Werinipre Noel Digifa, has expressed disappointment that Tinubu has allowed the crisis to fester.

Digifa who attributed Wike’s rise in politics to the benevolence of former president, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, said for the ongoing crisis, Tinubu does not have the capacity to rule Nigeria.  He reiterated that the Ijaws were not sleeping and would not be intimidated by the federal might.