Abuja – The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has refuted assertions labeling Rivers State as the “6th Igbo state,” urging residents and commentators to avoid statements that could ignite ethnic tensions in the state.
Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary of INC Worldwide, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja. He expressed concern over the misleading narrative being promoted by certain quarters and emphasized that Rivers is a multi-ethnic state with a predominant Ijaw population.
“The INC ordinarily would not have responded to such reports if not for the fact that such publications can mislead the gullible reading public,” Oyakemeagbegha said.
He pointed out that Rivers comprises a rich mix of ethnic nationalities, including the Ijaw, Ogoni, Ekpeye, and Eleme peoples. While acknowledging that some individuals within the Ikwerre ethnic group trace their lineage to the Igbo, Oyakemeagbegha emphasized that this does not redefine Rivers as an Igbo state.
“Rivers’ population currently has more than 50% Ijaw. The fact that an Ikwerre indigene emerged as the president-general of a faction of Ohaneze Worldwide does not confer the status of the 6th Igbo state on Rivers,” he stated.
Highlighting the resilience of the Ijaw nation, Oyakemeagbegha reiterated the INC’s commitment to preserving its ancestral lands and resisting any form of annexation.
“For those who have little flair for history, Ijaws are known never to bow to anybody. We are the only ethnic nationality that was never conquered by the colonialists,” he noted.
He also dismissed the notion that the presence of Ijaw populations in states like Delta, Ondo, Edo, and Abia makes these states Ijaw states, clarifying that only Bayelsa is recognized as predominantly Ijaw.
The INC called for unity and the promotion of historical accuracy to foster harmony among the diverse ethnic groups in Rivers.
“We urge all individuals and groups to desist from making statements capable of misleading the public or causing unnecessary ethnic divisions,” Oyakemeagbegha concluded.
The INC’s statement comes amidst growing concerns about ethnic identity and representation in Rivers State, underscoring the need for respectful dialogue and understanding among all stakeholders.
Comments