ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
An Ijaw group, the Ijaw Frontline Crusaders (IFC), has faulted Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and some Niger Delta leaders for allegedly betraying and arresting an Ijaw son and House of Representatives member, Mr Farah Dagogo.
Dagogo is a federal lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Rivers State, in the House of Representatives.
He was reportedly arrested on Wike’s order for allegedly disrupting the screening of governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt.
The IFC in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Comrade Ekisa Binaebi, alleged that the arrest of the federal lawmaker had been orchestrated by prominent indigenes of the Ijaw nation who were working in concert with Wike.
The group claimed that the recent report from a Niger Delta rights crusader, Mrs Ann-Kio Briggs, was devoid of attacking Wike for the the arrest of Dagogo because of alleged fear that she would be exposed for her role in Ijaw agenda in 2015 and 2019 governorship election.
The group said: “The arrest of Farah Dagogo is raising so much dust and we advise all structures of Ijaw nation to attack the culprit of this disgrace from the very source.
“The Ijaw people are known for the ebullient drive to stand by the truth always without fear or favour.
“We are wondering why Ann-Kio Briggs is not calling on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to stop the witchhunt of an Ijaw man who is vying to be the next governor of Rivers if Farah Dagogo is clean of the same betrayal of Ijaw governorship agenda in 2015. Is it because she has been a major benefactor of his benevolence?
“We can recall that in 2015, this set of persons sold out the Ijaw drive for Rivers governor just for momentary satisfaction. We are aware of the roles Ankio-Briggs, Farah Dagogo and the likes played in betrayal for the Ijaw governor’s quest.
“We can see clearly why they cannot attack the very source of this historic impunity and abuse of power. What are they afraid of? Could it that be that there are many cockroaches in their corkboard? We leave this for posterity to judge. You cannot betray your people without dire consequences.”
The group said everyone that had betrayed the Ijaw nation had been paying one way or the other and very soon, other saboteurs of the Ijaws’ cause would not be spared.
The IFC argued: “The situation clearly shows that we must, as Ijaw people, without betrayal tendencies, begin to stand for ourselves.
“The well stage-managed hatred for Ijaw people in Rivers is not far-fetched from the repercussions of betrayals and selling out of the people of Ijaw ethnic nationality.
“We are not surprised that despite the role former President Goodluck Jonathan played in making Governor Wike who he is today against all Ijaws who presented themselves for the same service, we can see how things are playing out.
“We saw how supporters of ‘Run Jonathan campaign’ was pursued out of Port Harcourt stadium by security agencies allegedly sent by the state government. It is no surprise that the governor has always been known to fight the Ijaws that gave him all the support he needed at a time.
“This is a clarion call on the Ijaw nation to at this critical time of our political history support ourselves and shut betrayal out of our common interest.
“Therefore, we must address this situation from an informed point of view rather than merely playing to the gallery.”
The group, however, urged the Ijaw National Congress, seen as the parent body of the Ijaw nation, to properly evaluate issues before delving into them.
It said the 48 hours ultimatum given by the President of INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, had been judged as inappropriate in view of the roles of some Ijaw leaders who were playing to the gallery.
The IJC called on the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to wade in the matter, saying that the alleged insult brought upon the Ijaw nation through the reckless statements of some Ijaw leaders and elders was getting too much.
