Nigeria on Precipice, May Disintegrate, INC Tells Tinubu

The Ijaw National Congress (INC), which serves as the umbrella organization for the Ijaw people both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu regarding the current state of instability and potential disintegration in Nigeria. The President of the INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, made this statement during a recent interview with journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The Ijaw people are an ethnic group primarily located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which is rich in natural resources such as oil and gas. The region has long been plagued by various issues, including environmental degradation from oil exploration activities, political instability, and militancy.

Professor Okaba's warning comes amidst growing concerns over the security situation in Nigeria, with various ethnic and religious tensions escalating into violent clashes in different parts of the country. The secessionist movement in the southeastern region, led by groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has gained significant momentum in recent years, calling for the independence of the region from Nigeria.

Moreover, the economic situation in Nigeria remains dire, with high unemployment rates, inflation, and a weak currency. The government's inability to address these issues effectively has led to widespread discontent among the population, particularly among the youth.

The INC president urged President Tinubu to take urgent steps to address these challenges before they escalate further and threaten the unity and stability of the country. He called for a national dialogue involving all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the various crises facing Nigeria.

Okaba also emphasized the need for resource control and devolution of powers to the regions to enable them to manage their resources and develop at their own pace. He noted that the current centralized system of governance in Nigeria had failed to address the development needs of various regions and had fueled feelings of marginalization and agitation for self-determination.

The warning from the INC is a clear indication of the deepening crisis in Nigeria and the growing discontent among various ethnic groups in the country. It remains to be seen whether President Tinubu and the Nigerian government will heed this call for dialogue and reforms to address the root causes of the crisis and prevent a potential disintegration of the country.