LIVE UPDATES
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, the premier Igbo socio-cultural organisation, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the Rivers crisis and call the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to order.
Also, the Ijaw Young Professionals Association appealed to the elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, to initiate a peace talk between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule.
The calls came following series of crisis rocking the Rivers State politics.
The battle for the control of the state, between Fubara and his estranged godfather and former governor, Wike, had left the political climate in the state polarised, with loyalists of the political leaders engaging in a supremacy battle.
But in a statement on Friday, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing urged Tinubu to intervene again, expressing worry about an impending state of anarchy.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chika Adiele, the organisation said,“Our attention has been drawn to the looming anarchy and the intention to cause a breach of peace to derail the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Simnalayi Fubara, from delivering his people-oriented projects.
“We are miffed by the audacity of the outgone chairmen and their agents to disrupt government activities in the local government headquarters across the state, by barricading the entrance to these government facilities.
“Indeed, Nigeria is a constitutional democracy. It is an aberration for anyone to attempt to play God in the affairs of men.”
On the part of the Ijaw youths, the crisis in the state could destabilise the entire region if not properly handled.
The President of IYPA, Abiye Achepeka, while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt said, “We thank Pa Clark for making time to write to Mr President, calling for peace in Rivers State over the lingering political crisis.
“But, in doing so, while we are trying to protect an Ijaw son as governor of the state, we should also consider that most of the House of Assembly members whose seats are being threatened are also Ijaw sons.
“As a father, we urge him to call on the factions, the governor and the Assembly members and, in his capacity, intervene in the matter.
“While he is calling on the President to mediate in the Rivers crisis, he is more reachable to the Niger Delta and Rivers people than even the President.”
