A Niger Delta-born environmental rights activist and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, has strongly cautioned the Federal Capital Territory Minister and former governor of Rovers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, over his open attack and expression of deep hatred against the Ijaw Nation across Nigeria because of personal political conflict and interest.

Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West council area of Delta State, issued the statement on Thursday in response to the FCT Minister recent verbal attack.

He urged Wike to tread with caution so as not to create the wrong impression and not to instill bad blood between the Ijaw's and her neighbours, the Ikwerre people in Rivers state and beyond.

He said, "I want to clearly state that Ijaw people are not at war with Ikwerre people because of Rivers government house, which does not belong to any individual but to the good and peace-loving people of the entire Rivers State.

"It has become necessary to formally appeal and caution the former Rivers State Governor and now FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, who is lawyer and Life Bencher, to manage his anger, incitement comment, expression of hatred to avoid ethnic conflict and stop the continuous insults and attacks on Ijaw elders and leaders, even those alive and dead, over Rivers family politics," he counseled.

Speaking further, Chief Mulade who is also the National Coordinator for the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) reminded the FCT Minister that the Ijaw's and the Ikwerre's have a bond and should be sustained to promote peace and unity in the state.

"We respect you as a former governor of our dire state that the Ijaw leaders sacrificed their lives to fight and built since 1967. It is worthy of note that the population and size of the Ijaw Nation in Nigeria are not in dispute, particularly in the Niger Delta.

"It is pertinent to remind you that Ikwerre's are Ijaw closest neighbours, and Ijaw's are Ikwerre's strongest partners, and you are a product and great beneficiary of that relationship. 

"Please, for the sake of peace, unity, and development of our dire state and region, let us adopt the South African proverb UBUNTU. ‘I am because you are, and you are because I am.’

"Rivers people love you, we all grow up as rivers youths and Niger-Deltan. We cannot destroy or create anarchy because of political interest. We need to thread with caution because power is transient.

"Please stop whipping hatred of sentiment against the innocent people across the region. By God's willingly, Ijaw's can become governors in Akwa-Ibom, Ondo, Edo, and Delta State's because they are Nigerians as well as the FCT Minister in the future within the present day Nigeria," he added.

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