President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body of the Ijaw people worldwide, Professor Benjamin Okaba has cautioned President Bola Tinubu’s administration of Nigeria’s sliding down the precipice.
Addressing professionals at the 2024 retreat of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) in Warri, Delta State, Professor Okaba, stated, “It is common knowledge that Nigeria is sliding down the precipice and that if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation, the country, in our very own eyes, might disintegrate into oblivion,”
The INC leader expressed hope that the gathering of professionals could help devise solutions to Nigeria’s “daunting challenges.”
ALSO READ: Niger Delta: Protesters Demand Environmental Justice Before Oil Divestment
He further stated, “The entire Ijaw Nation and the people of the Niger Delta…desire to live in a more united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”
He lamented that despite being “the giant of Africa” with vast resources, the majority of Nigerians lack opportunities due to mismanagement by military and civilian leaders.
He said, “Nigeria that was until recently…projected to become the 3rd most populated country in the world by 2050, is currently passing through a very tough time. In fact, the Nigeria Project is tottering terribly into the edge of the abyss.”
ALSO READ: IYC Raises Alarm Over Frequent Military Invasions in Niger Delta
He traced the struggles to post-independence, arguing that “the return to the so-called democracy has not introduced any respite from the encroaching sense of doom.”
“our own brand of democracy seems to have brought too many confounding intricacies to bear on our optimism and hope of a protracted Nigeria Project.” He added.
