Alhaji Musa Saidu, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Rivers State and Southern Nigeria, has sounded the alarm on the persistent marginalization of Northerners in the state.
He has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reverse this trend and ensure inclusivity in his government.
Saidu expressed disappointment that Northerners were not represented in the recent appointment of commissioners, with an Igboman from Abia State being the only non-Rivers State indigene on the list.
Saidu expressed disappointment as the state governor swore in five commissioners without considering a Northern for appointments.
He emphasized that Northerners were excluded from the process, despite their contributions to the state.
The Northern leader criticized Fubara’s government for being “entirely partial” against Northerners, accusing him of only favouring the Igbo community.
He warned that this could lead to division among the people and urged the governor to engage with legitimate Northern leaders to address their grievances.
He reiterated that Northerners are not opposed to Fubara’s government, but want to see progress and inclusivity in Rivers State.
He said: “The biggest problem we are facing is because the government does not give us contracts. They pass through the Muslim community and these people in turn give us small.
“Since Governor Siminalayi Fubara held sway we have not benefited anything, we did not see rice, we did not see appointment and the marginalisation has continued from the Nyesom Wike era.
“We did not do bad to Governor Fubara. What we are seeing is that the policy of Wike has continued. We do not have any representative in the Rivers State Government House on behalf of the North.
I am the only Elected leader and head of the Traditional Council. What I am saying is that the marginalisation has continued.
“We are calling on Fubara to reverse the marginalization of the Northerns in Rivers State and I have reported this matter to Chief Edwin Clarke that we are still marginalized.”
While reacting to claims the names of Northerners are on the list as members of the Local Government Caretaker Committee, Saidu said;
“I do not see being a member of a Caretaker Local Government Committee reflect on the appointment of Northerns, we have asked our people to work with local authorities to deliver the governor.
“So, based on their contribution in their Council areas, they were recognised, not at the state level.
“The Governor will be swearing in five newly appointed commissioners, an Igboman is part of them from Abia State.
“We are not part of what the governor is doing, we are excluded because we have even applied to see him as a community but someone in the government blocked it.”
He, however, called on the Governor not to by his action create a divide in the Northern community, accusing him of sowing “deep Animosity” amongst them.
“I am also calling on the governor not to divide our people. We did not stop the governor from appointing Commissioners but he should not do that on behalf North community without meeting the legitimate leadership.
“Until we see the governor and sit with him because we feel that the Governor is not running an all-inclusive government, his government is entirely partial against Northerns. He is only carrying the Igbos along because if he puts an Edo man I would have hope.
“Our position is that we are supporting him as governor because if Rivers State progresses we will progress,” he explained.
Although he held doubt that the Governor would retrace his steps and work with the leadership of the Northern community, he said:
“I do not think the governor has an intention to appoint Northerns in the next round of appointments.
“This is because he has one year and some months to leave office and when a train derails from the beginning bringing it back will be difficult.
“We are not happy with him. Those that he is dealing with do not represent the Northerns and he can not create leadership that is out of the one that I represent.”
Consequently, he said their action will be to keep their doors open to work with other groups that will prioritize their interests, but disclosing that they would not opt to work with the former Governor of the State.
He added: “Our next line of action is that we will in the market, we do not owe any allegiance to the governor, if he does not work with us and another person comes to us, we will work with person. We are not indebted to Fubara, he can not stop us from dealing with others because we have been dealing with others before he became governor.
“Although Wike can not work with us because we do not swallow our vomit. Wike under his supervision Northerns were slaughtered during the EndSarS protest and families of security agencies were compensated but we were not paid any compensation till today. Wike is not the only person, in fact he is out of contention.”