The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body of the Ijaws has distanced itself from the reception given to Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in Port Harcourt, stressing that the Ijaw cannot a man who allegedly unleashing hatred on the Ijaw nation.
The INC, in a statement signed by Publicity Secretary of Eastern Zone of the INC, Chief Ibiosiya Nath Sukubo that the former Governor has displayed character such that the Ijaws have to distance themselves from him.
The apex Ijaw body said that the group which organised the reception for Wike are his political cohorts and colleagues, who “… don’t have the capacity to speak for the Ijaws.
“We have the Ijaw National Congress (INC)) which is our mouthpiece and traditional socio-cultural organisation and the Ijaw Youth Council IYC which is our vibrant youth wing. Anything outside these organisations is a nullity for the Ijaws.”
Sokubo said: “No true son or daughter of Ijaw will honour Wike, who had sworn thunder to fire Ijaw People. Even when the INC asked him to apologise he refused up till this moment, hence we cannot fan or lubricate the embers of one who had unleashed so much hatred on us.
“Those who claimed to honour him are doing it for their stomach infrastructure.”
“Sir Sim is the pivot on whose pendulum we shall all swing. If not for any reason Wike should be grateful to him and the Ijaws. Ijaw made him minister and governor through which he had amassed so much wealth. Today he is one leg APC and one leg PDP.”
The INC spokesman said that instead of honouring Wike, the Ijaw would honour Ikwerre heroes who once allied to the Ijaw struggle like Prof. G. O. M. Tasie, Dr. Obi Wali and others not someone who had terrorised and vilified them.
He claimed that Wike, had thrown tantrums and aspersions on our natural leader Chief Edwin kiagbodo Clarke with reckless abandon.I was surprised when someone said we apologise to Wike on behalf of Sir Sim fubara.
“That is an aberration, it is Wike that owe Sim and the Ijaws apology. They are only trying to launder his image for the Ijaws to accept him as what I don’t know.”
