An elder statesman and prominent member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has strongly condemned the actions of lawmakers who blocked Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s access to the State Assembly Complex. Sara-Igbe, who is also the National Chairman of the South South Elders Forum and a former spokesman for the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), called the lawmakers’ actions both “provocative” and an “insult” to the people of Rivers State.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Sara-Igbe emphasized that the denial of the governor’s access wasn’t merely a personal affront to Fubara, but an insult to the millions of Rivers people who elected him as their leader. “The governor is the chief executive officer of the state and has the right to access all state facilities. Blocking him from entering the Assembly Complex is a direct disrespect to the people of Rivers,” he declared.
Sara-Igbe further explained that Fubara has consistently sought peace, citing the governor’s decision to withdraw a lawsuit against the lawmakers last year at the suggestion of President Bola Tinubu, despite the lawmakers’ refusal to reciprocate. He noted that the governor is ready for peace, but some of these individuals are not.
In a separate comment, Sara-Igbe also addressed statements made by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who suggested Fubara could be impeached without significant consequences. Sara-Igbe warned that Wike’s remarks, particularly those insulting the Ijaw people, could worsen the already delicate political climate in Rivers State. He reminded Wike of the volatile history of the Niger Delta, citing the drastic drop in crude oil production during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration.
“We all remember how the Ijaw elders and militants were crucial in stabilizing the nation’s oil production when it faced a severe decline. At this critical time, we cannot afford any instability in crude oil production,” Sara-Igbe cautioned. “The minister should choose his words carefully and remember the consequences of provoking the Ijaw nation.”
As the political tension continues to simmer in Rivers State, Sara-Igbe appealed to all parties to prioritize peace and diplomacy, calling for careful consideration of the impact of their words and actions on the state and its people. “Rivers people are watching. The world is watching,” he concluded.
