There was tension and disruption on the ever-busy East-West Road yesterday as protesting Ijaw youths blocked the highway, leaving traders, motorists, and commuters stranded for hours. The demonstrators, under the umbrella of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), staged a peaceful protest at the Mbiama axis of the road to express their displeasure over recent political developments in Rivers State and derogatory remarks allegedly made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, referring to the Ijaws as a minority in the Niger Delta region.
The demonstration, which paralyzed commercial and vehicular activities, was aimed at drawing attention to what the protesters described as Wike’s continued political interference in Rivers State. Leaders from various IYC zones and national officers participated, demanding that President Bola Tinubu call the FCT Minister to order.
The protesters condemned Wike’s actions, accusing him of creating unnecessary political tension and distractions that hinder good governance in Rivers State. They also voiced their concerns over what they perceived as President Tinubu’s implicit support for Wike amid the ongoing political crisis, particularly the recent move by the reinstated Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The Ijaw youths vowed to maintain their blockade of the East-West Road until President Tinubu genuinely intervenes to resolve the crisis. They insisted that the continued political oppression of Governor Fubara and his supporters was unacceptable and could lead to widespread unrest.
Speaking with journalists, many protesters called on the President to ensure that Governor Fubara’s tenure is not truncated, warning that the Ijaw people would not remain passive in the face of perceived injustice.
In a statement signed by IYC spokesperson Binebai Princewill, the group reiterated its earlier stance that the Ijaw Nation would resist any attempt to undermine Governor Fubara. The statement read in part:
“The free reign of impunity perpetuated by Wike in Rivers State, his reckless remarks, and outright disregard for respected Ijaw leaders—including the late Pa Edwin Clark, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and others—will not be tolerated. This is a fight we are ready to take to the end.”
The IYC further described Wike as “too insignificant to challenge the Ijaw Nation,” emphasizing that the Ijaws are the fourth-largest ethnic group in Nigeria and a dominant force in the Niger Delta and Rivers State.
The group also called on President Tinubu to sack Wike as FCT Minister, arguing that his actions portray the current administration negatively and pose a threat to democracy and national peace.
The protest continued into the late hours, with the demonstrators insisting they would not vacate the road until decisive action was taken to address their grievances.
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