Opobo Leaders Reject Alleged Trap To Incite Tension In Rivers State, Vow To Maintain Peace
Against the vow by the South South Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), George Turnah to go ahead with the April 12 Pro-Wike rally in Bayelsa State, the Opobo Elder Statesmen has dismissed his claim that “not even in Opobo was there any protest,” describing it as misleading.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Secretary of the group, AmaopuSenibo Lawrence S. Oko-Jaja, SAN, accused enemies of the state of setting a trap to create tension in Rivers State, which the people of Opobo have deliberately avoided.
“We cannot fall into the trap George Turnah and his sponsors think they have set for us,” Oko-Jaja stated describing the notion of reacting violently as a sign of unintelligence.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria asserted that Opobo people are known for their peaceful coexistence and legal means of resolving issues.
“We are not known for barbaric actions or violence. If Turnah and his sponsors expected us to react in such a way, they will be disappointed,” he stated.
The Opobo Elder Statesmen’s scribe reiterated Opobo’s support for their son, the governor, while expressing concern over the current situation.
“We support our governor, but everyone is perplexed and worried when such things happen,” Oko-Jaja added.
The elder statesman highlighted that the Ijaw struggle is no longer about violence or destruction but about intelligent engagement and consultation.
He stressed that destroying oil company property would harm the local economy and environment, which Opobo people are committed to protecting.
The group concluded by calling for peaceful and democratic engagement with the federal government and stakeholders to resolve issues in a way that benefits all parties.
“We call for a peaceful resolution of the problem so that the state of emergency can be lifted sooner than the six months period to allow His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, AmaOpusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS resume his duties of delivering the dividend of democracy to the people of Rivers State”, the legal luminary stated.
