Dear Sir,
MISINFORMATION CAN UNDERMINE WISDOM
It is widely reported on a number of internet platforms that you made an allegation against Opobo people.
It is that you didn’t witness any form of protest by Opobo people against March 18 proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State.
If you said so, it means that you have not been well informed on public reaction to what has become perhaps the most vexatious
action by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since His Excellency’s May 2023 announcementof an end to petroleum subsidy.
That action was based on a hasty calculation with harsh consequences, on average citizens.
On May 29, 2023 Nigerians saw the price of petrol, diesel and Kerosene jacked up from below N200 per litre, to more than 300%. It is climbing far above N189 per litre, which was the price of petrol as at May 28, 2023.
The economy has left the average Nigerian in ruins.
For instance each person who uses upto 5 litres of petrol a day is made to lose over N4,000 as excess cost above N945 which was the total cost of 5 litres of petrol at N189 per litre.
This is money he or she the average Nigerian doesn’t have.
It has left many on the edge of chaos daily.
So too the removal of democratically elected institutions such as Governor, Deputy Governor and House of Assembly through a questionable proclamation.
The action has thrown a blanket of anxiety over Rivers people and well- meaning Nigerians.
The situation has become widely contentious for its manifest social injustice and naked threat of authoritarian muscle in a democracy that should be marked by incremental compliance to constitutional process.
It is not social injustice to Opobo people but to Rivers State, Ijaw ethnic group and Niger Delta.
If you actually said so, you can see that you were misinformed as to what the struggle is about.
Sir, you missed the crucial points as stated below, namely that:
- Opobo people are an active part of Rivers State population whose democratic institutions are being assaulted.
But please understand that it is the Governor, Deputy Governor and House of Assembly of Rivers State that have been thrown out by a process the constitution arguably did not provide for.
The scope of this struggle is therefore a state wide & regional hot charcoal with inflammable potential.
Thus, your apparent attempt to reduce the scope of this struggle to community or Clan level, will fail because you misundertand it.
Opobo as Ibani people join other well meaning indigenes of our State in the struggle to draw President Bola Tinubu’s attention to the fast increasing hue and cry of aggrieved Rivers people and Niger Delta ethnic groups to the fear of internal colonialism and unjust limitation of democratic rights which the issue portends.
Many Nigerians cannot even understand why Lagos State that ventured to put two Speakers of the House of Assembly in the public domain in February 2025, did not suffer a State of Emergency proclamation.
Did you see video clips of peaceful protest by brave Kalabari women led by that Ijaw Amazon Hon Hope Goodhead at Abalama?
Have you been following the activities of “Rivers Women Unite For Sim” at which Mrs Ibim Semenitari spoke the minds of Nigerian women or the tireless sojourn of a movement that bring Rivers Women to Pray? It is led by Amaopuorubo Mrs Sotonye Toby Fulton.
You also did not hear the Press Statement on the matter issued by Opobo Lawyers association.
It is also likely that you missed the emphatic call for urgent peaceful resolution of the Rivers State constitutional dilemma by Opobo Title Holders led by Amaopusenibo Barrister Mike Epelle.
These moves embody the spirit of Rivers ancestors who fought for State creation as a statement of liberation of minority people and their local economies from internal colonialism. It led to the Willinks Commission in London where late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye was given the cross by Rivers Chiefs and People’s Conference to carry to London conference of Nigeria’s regional leaders, just before Nigeria”s independence.
That undying spirit of industrious dignity and commitment to social justice manifested in Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s 12 Days revolution where he and his comrade patriots put their lives on the line just to bring the Niger Delta issue to national attention by 1966.
Today Niger Delta ( not only Opobo people) is threatened by a resurgence of social forces that facilitate internal colonialism.
A Feudal System that gives one Strong man and his cronies the resources of a conquered State which we have seen since 1999, has placed Rivers State and Niger Delta local economies on the firing line.
Since 2023, the region is becoming a dangling ripe fruit for a group of business elite to grab through willing political contractors acting as local agents.
It is a profound charge to entrench State Capture.
You should be concerned not to be seen to expose your Ijaw ancestry to ridicule. - Opobo people are Ijaw and have embraced the position of the Ijaw National Congress ( INC) on the matter, as stated by the National President of INC Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba.
It was emphasized by the Governor of Bayelsa State His Excellency Senator Douye Diri in Yenagoa, when His Excellency called on President Tinubu to constitute the peace panel as a matter of urgency.
But that it must be a credible and representative body of trustworthy Nigerians to mediate to facilitate mutual respect and peaceful governance by Rivers State government desirous to discharge development priorities to the citizens.
For Rivers people, the matter is fundamental.
It is the cry of an enslaved population for freedom!
Ijaw people as part of a marginalized and oppressed region in Nigeria, believe that ethnic solidarity and regional ownership of issues of social justice and true democtratization, present a more formidable front to achieve unity of purpose, national redress and collective progress.
May be you don’t agree with that position too.
We also acclaim the logical rejection of a State of Emergency by the Ijaw Youth Council ( IYC) and the resolve to seek timely dialogue to correct this injustice against Rivers State, Ijaw land Niger Delta and true democratic process in Nigeria. - You may not be aware that PANDEF under the current leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Dr Godknows Boladei Igali has taken a position on the matter, which Opobo people have no reason to disagree with.
This organization launched by eminent Niger Delta indigenes such as late Pa High Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clarke, late Alabo Tonye Grahan Douglas, Alabo Professor Dagogo M.J. Fubara, His Excellency Obong Victor Attah, Amazon Ann Kio Briggs, His Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff, late Charles Harry among many others, continue to speak up on the genuine economic and political interest of Niger Delta ethnic groups over the years.
PANDEF’s patriotic initiatives to persuade President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to play his role as an unbiased father of the nation on this matter, is totally commendable.
What more should Opobo / Nkoro LGA or Ibani Clan do to show solidarity?
Our Son His Excellency Amaopusenibo Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara has consistently preached peace, inclusiveness, transparency and fairness in the administration of Rivers State.
This has been demonstrated since he was sworn in with Her Excellency Prof Ngozi Mma Odu as Deputy Governor.
What offence did they commit to warrant impeachment as at October 29, 2023 when the first impeachment plot became public?
No answer to date!
Those who plot to crucify them should remember what Pontius Pilate told the Jews about Jesus Christ: I find no fault in this man!
Almighty God who protects those who trust in His mercy, will continue to lead this struggle to liberate Rivers people and their economy as well as the Niger Delta from oppression and internal colonialism.
Rivers people, nay Niger Delta people do not want to go back to enslavement.
Thank you.
Amaopusenibo Bobo Sofiri Brown.
