Former President of the Ijaw Youths Council Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri, has stated that the political crisis between Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara was an internal Peoples Democratic Party matter and had nothing to do with the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

He said attempts to give the dispute an ethnic colouration damaged relationships in Rivers State.

Eradiri said he had been vindicated over his earlier position, recalling that some Ijaw leaders attacked him because they saw the crisis as an opportunity to advance their political interests.

He argued that the conflict created divisions and animosity that would take time to repair.

He rejected claims that Fubara’s emergence as governor was a collective decision of the Ijaw people. According to him, Wike did not consult the ethnic group before selecting his successor, and Fubara was not a widely known political figure among the Ijaw at the time.

Eradiri also faulted efforts to portray Wike as an enemy of the Ijaw, noting the former governor’s past support for the group. He warned that the crisis had exposed some supporters to political risks and urged the Ijaw to carefully assess its consequences.

Looking ahead to 2027, the former IYC president said the Ijaw still had a legitimate chance to seek the governorship but would need strong alliances with other ethnic groups. He stressed that no single nationality could produce a governor in Rivers State alone and called for efforts to rebuild damaged political bridges.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper