IYC kicks over Wike’s comments

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has faced condemnation from the Ijaw Youth Council over attack on their group.

The governor had ordered the arraignment of the Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency representative, Hon. Farah Dagogo.

At a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt for the state’s legal victory over Imo State 17 oil wells, Wike reportedly lashed out, “thunder fire you, Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youth Council” for demanding the unconditional release of Dagogo.

The IYC have however released a statement titled ‘Dagogo: Ijaw youths condemn Wike’s outburst’.

The statement read, “such tactless and disrespectful comments by Governor Wike was the height of his prolonged disdain for the Ijaw nation as a whole and Rivers Ijaw people in particular since he became the governor of the state.

“It is even more shocking that the Rivers governor took his unrestrained verbiage to the hallowed pulpit of a church and desecrated the altar of God.”

The apex Ijaw youth body reminded Wike that power is transient and that by May 29, 2023, he will vacate the exalted governorship seat.

“he has equally ridiculed, to become an ordinary citizen like others in Rivers State and Nigeria”, the youths pointed out.

They continued that, “Despite being the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria and the largest in the Niger Delta, the Ijaws have consistently promoted peaceful and harmonious relationships with other ethnic groups, including Wike’s Ikwerre nationality in Rivers State.

“However, Wike should be reminded that such unguarded and incendiary comments are capable of rupturing the existing good relationship with the Ikwerres, and his kinsmen are advised to call him to order.

“Wike has forgotten that by calling fire and thunder on the Ijaw nation, his benefactor and our revered leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan, is an illustrious Ijaw son.

“This “thunder” did not fire the former president when, despite all odds, he made him (Wike) the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State against the wishes of other competent Ijaw aspirants in the state.

“Now, Jonathan as an Ijaw man, is also under fire from Governor Wike. For him, all those that made him, including the people of Rivers State, are in his pocket and can be insulted at will.”