|
INC And Governor Odili by
May I react to the present situation and events surrounding the Ijaw National Council (INC) as an organisation. From reports, we understand that a section of the exco led by Dr. P.Y. Biakpara has taken the leadership i.e. the popularly elected president, Dr. Kimse A.B. Okoko, to court by obtaining an injunction restraining him from performing his duties as president of the organisation. Like in every human organisation, there could be errors of omission or commission on the part of the president or any member of the executive council. Is the court the best place to go and settle matters affecting an executive council people have laboured for day and night to set up just recently? The INC is a non-political socio-cultural organisation, therefore, I feel that it has no business taking matters affecting it to a law court to be presided over by a non-member. I, therefore, appeal to the plaintiffs in the interest of all Ijaws here and in the diaspora, born and yet unborn, to please withdraw and settle out of court otherwise posterity will not forgive them. Also understand that on February 22, when the case was to be heard, there were demonstrations with placards in solidarity with Dr. Okoko. Swiftly reacting to the demonstrations, the party that went to court to obtain the injunction now tagged the demonstrators as thugs, forgetting that these were the same persons (delegates) who voted them into the executive council during the campaigns and subsequent elections in Yenegoa. Reports reaching us here in Lagos has pointed to Dr. Peter Odili, the Governor of Rivers State as one of the key factors bent on destroying and destabilising the INC so that the Ijaw nation will not be able to speak with one voice but he will never succeed in destroying the Ijaws. It is also on record and will be there for history that this same Dr. Odili, in collaboration with his masters at Abuja, has succeeded in transferring virtually all serving policemen of Ijaw origin, both junior and senior officers, from Rivers State to other remote areas. The public can investigate because the records are there for people to see. He has the more serious business of governance to handle than to engage in a fight he will not be able to sustain for too long. The Ijaws have no business with him but are merely saying "No" to economic and political oppression by asking for their legitimate right to live a decent life in their God-given environment that is being destroyed on a daily basis by oil companies to the benefit of an insensitive Federal Government. The Governor should concern himself with how he will develop the rural areas by providing good roads, accommodation, functional schools, drinkable water, electricity and other infrastructure.
|