From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The association equally cautioned that the Ijaw people, and indeed, all lovers of democracy are deeply concerned about the appointment of a sole administrator in the Rivers State.

Tinubu had in March declared a state of emergency in Rivers due to the protracted political rift between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike and his estranged political son and governor of the state, Sim Fubara.

President Tinubu had appointed Ibokette Ibas, a retired Navy Vice Admiral, as the administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.

However, addressing a press conference yesterday to mark the 57th Adaka Boro Day celebration, themed, ‘‘Ijaw Nation Strength: A Pathway for Unity and Solidarity,” the IYC president, Theophilus Alaye, urged President Tinubu to restore executive powers of the people to Fubara.

He noted: “We appeal to Your Excellency to please restore full democratic governance in the state by restoring executive powers of the people’s governor, Sim Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, and the State House of Assembly.

“The people of Rivers State deserve lawful governance that will give the people the needed dividend of democracy and continuity of people-oriented development.

“Mr President Sir, you are a true democrat and your intention for Rivers people is genuine. However, removing our governor is not the step the people of Rivers State expected from a true democrat like you, and as such, the people of Rivers State are still in shock.

“You know the majority of our people are an emotional group and we can not pacify them for too long in respect to the situation here in Rivers State and we are running out of patience as the people can not sit and watch an unknown entity alien to our constitutional democracy occupy our Government House.

“Mr President, we acknowledge the peace process you have initiated and we thank you for that. This alone has shown that you truly have genuine intention for sustaining peace in Rivers State. However, as believers of democracy, we want a speedy restoration of Rivers State back to the government of the people,” the Council demanded.

The association further noted that while the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) had been instrumental in sustaining peace and rehabilitating ex-agitators across the Niger Delta, the current funding level is inadequate to meet the growing demands of reintegration, educational training, and empowerment of beneficiaries.

“We, therefore, request an increase in the annual budgetary allocation to PAP to ensure its objectives are fully achieved. We also appeal to the President for a new window to absorb more agitators in the Niger Delta region, particularly the Ijaw nationality into the PAP.

“It will enable them to eradicate a few pockets of arm agitators left in the region from our creeks. We equally call for the removal of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This will enable the NDDC to initiate and deliver more impactful signature projects that will directly benefit our oil-producing communities.

“The East-West Road remained a lifeline to the economy of the Niger Delta and the entire South-South region. Its incomplete state continues to endanger lives and hamper development. We urge the Federal Government to prioritise and fast-track the immediate completion of this critical infrastructure,” the Council demanded.