The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has issued a stern warning against the inclusion of any Ijaw ancestral lands in any Igbo-claimed territory.
The reaction comes after a misleading press conference of some stakeholders from the Eastern part of Nigeria, who claimed that Rivers State, where the Ijaws are a major ethnic group, is part of Igbo land and a member of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
In a press release signed by Engr. (Chief) Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary of the INC. Emphasizes that while they respect individual rights to freedom of association, the Ijaws cannot be part of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
INC frowning at the unwarranted claim also point out that some local government areas mentioned in the claim, such as Port Harcourt, have other ethnic groups like the Ijaw-Okrika group and the Engenes in Ahoada West.
The INC asserts that they will not concede any part of their territory to any other ethnic group, stating that “The Ijaws Have Never Been Conquered And Will Not Be Conquered.” As They remain a majority ethnic group in Rivers State, with 10 local government areas, and advise caution and respect for peaceful coexistence among ethnic nationalities.
With this, The INC has made it clear that Rivers state and every other Ijaw ancestral lands are Ijaw people and not Biafrans….Read Full Details
