The Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Maobuye Nangi Obu, has criticised the council?s president, Jonathan Lokpobiri, for allegedly blaming the Ijaw people for the imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Obu described Lokpobiri?s remarks as hypocritical and a betrayal of the Ijaw nation, accusing him of aligning with political interests at the expense of his people.

Speaking at a recent stakeholders? meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt, he had said Ijaw people could have prevented the emergency declaration if they had shown more commitment to resolving the crisis rather than beating the drums of war in the media.

Reacting in a statement yesterday, Obu said Lokpobiri?s comments were not only unfounded but also exposed him as a compromised leader, who no longer represents the interests and aspirations of the Ijaw people.

?Lokpobiri must come clean on where he stands in the Rivers political crisis,? Obu stated, alleging that the IYC president has traded the Ijaw cause for political and economic favours. He further accused Lokpobiri of silence in the face of provocative and anti-Ijaw comments allegedly made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom he blamed for fuelling the crisis in Rivers State with a mission to unseat Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He argued that respected Ijaw leaders, alongside the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), had actively sought peaceful resolution before the state of emergency was declared; efforts which, according to him, were disregarded by Wike.

He added that Lokpobiri?s failure to condemn Wike?s alleged role in the crisis was driven by political calculations, including concerns over his brother?s rumoured governorship ambition in Bayelsa State, which he claims was being supported by Wike.

?Instead of standing firm for the Ijaw people at a critical moment, Lokpobiri chose to ?spew gibberish? and misrepresent the facts. ?His comments were not only an embarrassment but also damaging to the Ijaw struggle,? he said.

Obu expressed concern that Lokpobiri?s leadership was weakening the IYC?s voice at a time when strong advocacy was needed. He said the stakeholders? meeting presented a golden opportunity for him to highlight key issues facing the Ijaw people but that it was instead wasted on ?self-serving narratives.?

Turning to Bayelsa, he warned of growing tension over a planned political rally for Wike and urged Lokpobiri to use the wisdom he previously preached to prevent a repeat of the Rivers situation.

?The so-called president has once again gone mute. It?s obvious he does not want to offend Wike, his brother?s benefactor. But, the Ijaw people need a bold and principled leader now more than ever,? he said.

He concluded by affirming that the Ijaw nation is peace-loving and not at war with any group, but would not remain silent in the face of disrespect. He warned that Lokpobiri?s comments could embolden those seeking to undermine the Ijaw interests.

?We must reject and condemn statements that give strength to our detractors. Lokpobiri has lost the moral compass to lead the IYC,? Obu submitted. (Daily Sun)

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