Ijaw leaders under the auspices of Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG) on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with political developments in Rivers.

The group in a statement issued in Yenagoa condemned the betrayal of the mandate of the people and subsequent foisting of the selfish interests of the political class.

The statement was signed by Ben Okoro, Efiye Bribena, Chief Denzil Kentebe, Iniruo Wills, Elaye Otrofanowei, Tare Ekpebu, Pattison Boleigha.

Other members of the coalition who endorsed the statement are Ms. Annkio Briggs, Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone, Ebitim Egbunukumoh and Yimovie Sakue-Collins

“The Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups having watched with keen interest and concern , the recent happenings in the country and in our democracy, would like to make the following observations:

“That it is very troubling to see that the very dire socio-economic conditions in our country especially the unacceptable and growing levels of poverty, insecurity, developmental challenges

“As well as the ecological crisis is not attracting or receiving the level of attention it deserves by this government and politicians.

“Rather than focusing on improving the situation they claim to have met, they seem to have become more brazen and emboldened in a desperate attempt to capture instruments of State power.

“Namely, Legislature and Judiciary and to foist illegality and lawlessness upon the people.

“We see the brazen suspension of the entire apparatus of government, the elected Governor, State House of Assembly members.

“And consequently the appointees of government of Rivers State through the UNCONSTITUTIONAL declaration of a ‘State of Emergency’ by the President.

“It amounts to nothing less than ‘overthrowing’ the mandate of the people and the legitimate and democratically elected government of Rivers state,” the statement reads in part.

The group noted that the build-up points to the promotion of the selfish determination and desire of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike to control the state by proxy even after leaving office as governor for 8 years.

The group that they are also alarmed by the unconstitutional conduct by which the National Assembly, led by Sen. Godswill Akpabio, endorsed this act through a questionable ‘voice vote’.

They described the voice vote as a procedure that flagrantly violates the Nigerian Constitution and disgraces the legislative process.

“We, therefore are fully aligned with the principled positions taken by respected citizens such as Mr. Atedo Peterside, Ms. Ann Kio Briggs, Dame Donu Kogbara, and the Rivers Elders who had rightly demanded an immediate halt to this illegality.

“We also acknowledge and celebrate the indomitable spirit of the various women groups that make up the “Rivers Women Unite for Sim”.

“These women with hearts of lion have continually resisted the Illegitimate Sole Administrator in Rivers State since the unconstitutional swearing in at Abuja by the President.

“We call upon all well-meaning Nigerians, the international community, and all defenders of participatory democracy to speak out against this injustice and support the restoration of constitutional governance, democratic order, and the rule of law in Rivers State,”

The coalition explained that like all Nigerians, the people of Rivers State deserve to live in a democracy and enjoy its dividends.

They stated that in a democracy, the people must be governed according to the rule of law and by those they have democratically elected, not by proxies, military-style appointees, or individuals imposed by anti-democratic forces, as is the case in Rivers State today.

“We hold the view that the operational conduct of the unconstitutionally imposed ‘Sole Administrator’ Vice Admiral Ibo-Ete Ekwe Ibas, (Rtd), particularly in the affairs of superintending over the resources of the state, be thoroughly scrutinized.

“He must be held to account; this, in addition to his role as a puppet for the main collaborators and perpetrators, for grossly violating the constitution.

“Raping our democracy, and verbally threatening the protesting women of Rivers State - who were simply exercising their constitutional rights to peacefully protest their grievances against the military-style deprivation of their democratic constitutional rights, and the imposition of an unelected outsider to rule over them.”

The coalition said they are disappointed by the nonchalant attitude of Gov Similaye Fubara towards the mandate bestowed on him by the people of Rivers.

They decried Fubara’s recent attempt to abandon the sacred mandate given to him as most despicable, uncharitable and bespeaks of the larger problem of the democratic processes in Nigeria

They described the situation wherein politicians trade the interests of the people for their selfish personal interests as regrettable.

“We therefore call on Governor Sim Fubara to retrace his steps, rise and defend his mandate!

“We deplore the situation wherein a select few hijacks and impose their whims and caprices on the people.

‘We demand that for the progress of democracy in Nigeria, and for the sake of the unity of the country, all persons associated with these illegalities and atrocities being inflicted on the people of Rivers State, should be brought to justice!,” the coalition stated.