The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his remarks about the Ijaw people.
The INC was responding to comments allegedly made by Wike, in which he reportedly described the Ijaw as a “minority of minorities” in Rivers and other South-South states, except Bayelsa.
In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, the INC’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, expressed concern over the minister’s remarks. He emphasized that while the INC remains committed to maintaining peace and stability, it is calling on President Tinubu to caution Wike and redirect his attention to his ministerial responsibilities.
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“The INC remains dedicated to preserving the harmony that exists in the Niger Delta region. We have taken note of the recent statements made by the FCT Minister. Given his eight years as governor of Rivers State, we expected him to have a deeper understanding of the state’s history,” the statement read.
The INC further asserted that the Ijaw people are Nigeria’s fourth-largest ethnic group, with a population exceeding 40 million, and are considered the country’s oldest indigenous group based on historical records.
Oyakemeagbegha also pointed out that the Ijaw are the largest ethnic group in Rivers State, occupying eight local government areas, and are not a minority in Delta State. He reiterated the Ijaw’s long-standing advocacy for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta and the South-South region, emphasizing that they would not be deterred by attempts to provoke them.
