The Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress (RIPCO) has criticized the Ijaw National Congress (INC) for failing to act early during the political crisis in Rivers State, telling the Congress to stop “shedding tears over spilt milk.”
In a statement signed by Senator George Thompson Sekibo, Hon. Rowland Sekibo, and Hon. Erastus Awortu, RIPCO blamed the INC for allowing the crisis to escalate, stating that “at the tutelage stage of the Rivers crisis, INC stood aloof as it escalated beyond repairs.”
“It is disheartening to witness respected elders lamenting over spilt milk from a leaking bowl when they could mend the bowl before any spillage occurred,” the group said in response to the recent “All-Inclusive Critical Stakeholders Meeting on the State of the Ijaw Nation” convened by INC in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
RIPCO accused INC president, Professor Benjamin Okaba, of dragging Ijaw elders into a blame game and questioned his leadership. “This situation raises questions about accountability and leadership as they attempt to address problems in which they are complicit in their escalation,” the statement read.
The group further accused Okaba of siding with Governor Siminalayi Fubara after earlier agreeing with RIPCO and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to pursue a peaceful approach. “Rather than championing the previously agreed-upon collaborative efforts, Prof. Okaba aligned himself with Governor Sim Fubara and became engrossed in the crisis,” the group alleged.
RIPCO also condemned a statement by Okaba referring to an unnamed individual as “an Ikwerre-born inconsequential drunk and cheap drug addict,” and criticized elders who supported the remark. “Such arrogance undermines the potential for constructive dialogue and alienates potential allies in the quest for peace,” they said.
The group rejected INC’s claim that the political crisis was not ethnic, citing events like the mock burial of former governor Nyesom Wike in Bomadi, Delta State. They described it as “a condemnable indignity” and warned it could fuel ethnic tensions.
“The Ijaws in Rivers State, who rely on harmonious relationships with various ethnic groups for their daily existence and political stability, deserve leaders who promote unity rather than division,” RIPCO stated.
They questioned why the INC made no effort to mediate between Wike and Fubara from the start of the crisis in November 2023 until the stakeholders’ meeting in March 2025, despite Wike’s role in Fubara’s emergence. “It is puzzling that no concerted effort for engagement has taken place,” they said, adding that “any attacks on Nyesom Wike [are] unjustified.”
RIPCO called for Prof. Benjamin Okaba to resign. “It may not be out of context to assume that Prof. Okaba lacks the qualities necessary to lead the people. He does not appear to be an effective manager of those he presides over,” they said.
The group also mentioned Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s call for dialogue, and urged INC to adopt a more diplomatic approach. “The ability to engage in respectful and meaningful conversation is a crucial component of the negotiation process,” they added.
