The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to order over his comments on the Ijaw.

The INC was reacting to alleged comments credited to Wike in which he said the Ijaw people ”were a minority of minorities in Rivers and other South South States except Bayelsa”.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary INC, said that the congress had taken note of the FCT minister’s remarks.

”We will continue to maintain peace and stability, as we call on President Tinubu to caution him and redirect his focus to his ministerial duties.

“The INC remains committed to preserving the harmony enjoyed by all in the Niger Delta region.

“We have taken note of the recent remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Given his eight-year tenure as governor of Rivers we expected a more informed understanding of the state’s history,” the INC said.

For the record, the INC said that the Ijaw people are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with over 40 million people, and the oldest tribe in Nigeria, as documented in history.

“They are the largest ethnic group in Rivers with eight local government areas, and also not a minority in Delta.

“The Ijaw have consistently advocated for fairness and equity in the Niger Delta region and the South-South, and we will not be swayed by individual attempts to provoke us,” Oyakemeagbegha said.

The Presidency has stated that President Bola Tinubu is not currently focused on the 2027 election but is instead prioritizing economic policies aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians. Nigerian home decor ideas

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, emphasized that the president is more concerned with the long-term impact of his policies than with political maneuvering ahead of the next election. In a Friday night post on his X page, wrote;

“President Tinubu is not worried about the next election. He’s worried about the shared prosperity that he can bring to Nigerians,” Dare wrote.

“He’s worried about how the reforms he has put in place will yield the necessary impact. He is concerned about what happens to the economy of this country eventually. That’s the focus.”

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has reaffirmed Dr. Olu Agunloye as it’s position as its National Secretary, dispelling speculations of an internal crisis following the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the party.

In a statement released after its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025, the party leadership clarified that the entry of new members, including El-Rufai, does not pose a threat to its existing leadership structure. The committee dismissed any claims that Agunloye was being forced out, condemning recent protests calling for his removal.

The SDP emphasized that all current NWC members were duly elected at the party’s 2022 National Convention and would serve their full four-year term until 2026 unless removed through a formal convention process. The leadership further stated that no executive member would be displaced due to new entrants joining the party.

Addressing Agunloye’s ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the 2003 Federal Executive Council approval of the Mambilla Power Project, the party reiterated that an accused person remains innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Chief Adewole Adebayo, echoed the party’s position, affirming Agunloye’s contributions to the party’s stability and national interest. He recalled that Agunloye, a former National Chairman, had voluntarily stepped down to assume the role of National Secretary in the party’s best interest.

Meanwhile, Agunloye has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged efforts to pressure him into resigning, even as he welcomed El-Rufai’s defection, stating it would add value to the party.

The SDP reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy and adherence to constitutional provisions, assuring members and the public of its dedication to best democratic practices.