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By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM), a political group that supported the election of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2023, has criticislzed the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, over what it described as “overtly biased” and “regrettable” verbal attacks on the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and jointly signed by the group’s Director General, Hon. Johnson Georgewill, and Secretary, Mrs. Sarima Akpata.
RRM said Okaba’s remarks, which allegedly singled out at least nine Ijaw lawmakers, were capable of inflaming divisions within the Ijaw nation and undermining constitutional institutions.
According to the movement, the Ijaw National Congress, as a socio-cultural body, should maintain neutrality and avoid taking positions that favour one political bloc over another, particularly when Ijaw representatives are involved on both sides of the political divide.
The group stated that the Okaba-led INC had openly opposed the emergence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara during the 2023 governorship election, adding that it was the political leadership of former Rivers State governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, that ensured Fubara’s victory.
RRM questioned whether Governor Fubara was “more Ijaw” than the nine or more Ijaw legislators who were allegedly denied allowances, harassed and prevented from performing their legislative duties for nearly two years, while Professor Okaba, it said, remained silent.
The movement also faulted the tone of the INC’s intervention, describing it as inflammatory at a time when regional bodies such as the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) are advocating dialogue and reconciliation.
They said, “It is a matter of fact that the Benjamin Okaba led INC openly worked against the emergence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the 2023 governorship election. Conversely, the political leader of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, with divine support and the commitment of his followers, ensured Governor Fubara’s victory.
“The sudden show of support by the INC leadership therefore raises serious questions about motive, especially given previous claims that Governor Fubara was ‘not a true Ijaw man.”
RRM further called on respected Ijaw leaders, elders, political figures, royal fathers and the clergy to prevail on Professor Okaba to exercise restraint or step aside, warning that his statements have heightened tensions and destabilized an already fragile political environment.
The movement urged the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to remain resolute in upholding democratic principles, stressing that Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) empowers the legislature to initiate impeachment proceedings against any governor found to have violated constitutional provisions.